Hayley went into labour before she knew she was pregnant

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Good morning,

Most new parents have nine months to plan for their baby’s arrival.

Nine months to rally the support of those around you, to purchase tiny socks and onesies, put a cot together, install a car seat, and get everything you need to give your baby the best start in life.

Hayley* had less than 24 hours to prepare for being a new mum.

She had a cryptic pregnancy, which is when a woman is pregnant but doesn’t know it until labour begins.

Hayley shared the brave story about when she became pregnant:

“It was a non-consensual incident ... The brain is very powerful, and I think I just completely blocked it out.

“The idea of being pregnant just didn't resonate because I had just blocked it out. It didn't happen, so I justified every symptom with something else.”

Having a baby alone, as a young woman, with no support or time to prepare, whilst also dealing with the trauma of sexual assault — it’s unimaginable.

Geelong Mums supports women like Hayley every day ensuring they have everything they need to raise their children in a safe and healthy environment.

But we rely entirely on donations from kind people like you to make that happen. Please, will you send a generous gift today [[link removed]] so we can meet the growing demand for support in our community?

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Thankfully, Hayley gave birth to a gorgeous and healthy baby girl named Daisy*.

“Suddenly, I was a mother,” Hayley says. “The maternal instinct turned on pretty quickly, but I knew nothing … I didn't have a nappy. I didn't know how I was going to get her home. I didn't have anything to put her in, no clothes, nothing.”

When a social worker contacted Geelong Mums and told us Hayley’s story, we immediately put together a package of high-quality pre-loved baby items donated by our generous community.

“A pram, a car seat, two bags of second-hand clothes and blankets, a port-a-cot — everything that would get us going,” Hayley says. “I asked, ‘How long can I borrow these for?’ And she said, ‘No, they're yours’.

“I couldn't believe it. It just took such a weight off … I really got set up in the best possible way.

“It made me feel like I could do this, rather than starting from a dark place. It meant I could give my full attention to Daisy.”

This is exactly why your support is so important [[link removed]]. Because without it, Hayley would have started her journey as a new Mum panicked, frightened and scrambling to get everything she needed.

Because of you, little Daisy has had an amazing start to life with a mother who was able to bond and connect with her “little miracle”, as Hayley calls her.

Please be there for families in need [[link removed]] with a generous gift today.

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Warm regards,

Ruth

Ruth Holdaway MBE

CEO

[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]

PS: Hayley had no time to prepare for motherhood. But thanks to generous people like you, we were able to provide her and baby Daisy with everything they needed to begin their life together. Please help us be there for all families in need [[link removed]] with a generous gift today.

*Hayley and Daisy are real people and their story is true. Names have been changed to protect their identities.

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110 Balliang Street,

Geelong South VIC Australia

Geelong Mums would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands we work on across Victoria and pay our respects to their elders, both past and present and to their children and young people, who are our future elders and caretakers of this great land.

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