Woman's surprise birth on the way to Fraser Island

WHEN a woman set off on the trip of a lifetime to Fraser Island she never imagined she'd give birth on the way, because she had no idea she was pregnant.

Abi and Sam with their baby Harry and a cute teddy gifted to them before they headed home. Picture: Contributed

THERE must be something in the water.

Just last month, the NewsMail reported on a Bundaberg mother who turned up at Bundaberg Hospital with back pain, only to end up going home with a new child.

She had no idea or indication she was with child.

It was a story British backpacker Abi may or may not have read as she got ready to embark on her visit to Fraser Island.

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Abi and her friend had planned the trip to the island and hopped on a bus ready for the next step in their Aussie adventure.

"We're not sure exactly what friends and family were expecting UK backpacker Abi and partner Sam to bring home as a souvenir following their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Australia, but a new-born child has caught everyone by surprise - including the couple themselves," said a post on the Queensland Ambulance Service Facebook page.

Little baby Harry was already growing inside his mum when she arrived in Australia. He was born on the Sunshine Motorway. Picture: Contributed

Unknowingly in labour, Abi spent much of the day in discomfort while headed to Fraser Island.

Abi only made it as far as the Sunshine Coast.

"When paramedics arrived to their patient on the Sunshine Coast, they informed a stunned Abi that she was moments away from delivering her first-born child," the QAS post said.

"Officers Joanna and Assunta began a quick journey to hospital, however, Harry was born in the back of the ambulance on the Sunshine Motorway, weighing in at a tiny 1.7kg.

"Abi experienced no obvious symptoms of pregnancy and was unaware that she arrived in Australia already carrying Harry. Due to his size and position he stayed a secret until the very last minute, literally."

Abi and her partner Sam (who was in Sydney at the time) were taken in by a generous Brisbane family until young Harry was fit to travel.

"Paramedics Joanna and Assunta managed to catch up with the besotted new parents prior to their recent departure and deliver Harry a memento of his time with QAS and Australia - not that his mum will soon forget," the cheerful post read. 

The post on Facebook had almost 2000 likes in less than a day.