I didn’t know I was pregnant until I went into labour in a foreign country… Then I learned the horror truth about what happened to me nine months earlier

A first-time mother from Costa Rica has given birth to a baby girl while visiting her relatives in Australia without even realising she was pregnant.

Andrea Ramirez Soto said her cousin Gaby, 24, was staying at her Port Stephens home for three months on her first trip abroad and on the evening of September 13 – four days before she was due to go home –  she went into labour.

Ms Ramirez Soto said Gaby’s pregnancy had resulted from a night out in Costa Rica where she had her drink spiked and was raped while intoxicated. 

‘It’s been an up and down week for everyone,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.  

Gaby’s mother is flying to Australia to help with the baby – who has been named Anya Victoria – and Ms Soto has launched a GoFundMe to support the new mum. 

‘The donations will be used for travel expenses, baby essentials and support services for Gaby and the baby while they wait for documents to be finalised,’ she wrote. 

‘The circumstances surrounding her pregnancy are, tragically, a story shared by many women around the world.

‘Nine months ago, Gaby was invited out for drinks with friends, expecting a fun, carefree evening. Hours later, she awoke with no memory of the night, only to discover that she had been drugged and assaulted. 

‘This traumatic event left her with emotional and physical scars. In the months that followed, she tried to piece her life back together unaware that the assault had resulted in a pregnancy.’

Ms Ramirez Soto said Gaby had never looked pregnant but was always complaining about being tired and wanting to stay home. 

‘On that day Gaby was having cramps and kept calling me,’ she said.

‘I told her I’d be home soon. She later thought she’d peed herself which turned out to be her water breaking. 

‘She was reading online while I was having a drink with my husband when she said ”I think I’m pregnant” so we called an ambulance.’

Ms Ramirez Soto said a urine test confirmed the pregnancy. 

‘She was already dilated six centimetres so I was acting as the doula and the interpreter as Gaby’s English is not great.

Gaby arrived at John Hunter Hospital in New Lambton Heights at 8pm on Friday and the baby girl was born at 12pm the following day. 

‘At first she didn’t want anything to do with the baby so I held it so it had skin to skin contact and she gradually warmed up over the next few days,’ Ms Soto said. 

‘She went from holding the baby to now breastfeeding.’

Ms Soto said despite the extremely difficult circumstances Gaby wants to keep the baby, who is ‘very healthy’ according to doctors.

‘Some people have said to me horrible comments like “are you sure it really happened like that” or “are you sure she didn’t know”. It’s shocking to me that in 2024 there can be victim blaming,’ she said. 

Ms Ramirez Soto implored the community both in Australia and her native Costa Rica to support her cousin. 

‘No one should have to go through what Gaby has endured… We can help her take the next step toward a brighter future,’ she said. 

‘From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, compassion, and support. Every little bit helps, we can give Gaby the chance to start anew surrounded by the love of her family.’