A first-time mother from Costa Rica gave birth to a baby girl while visiting relatives in Australia without even realising she was pregnant.
Andrea Ramirez Soto said her cousin Gaby, 24, was at home in Port Stephens for three months on her first trip abroad and on the night of September 13 – four days before she was due to return home – she went into labour.
Mrs. Ramírez Soto said Gaby’s pregnancy was the result of a night of partying in Costa Rica where something was put in her drink and she was raped while intoxicated.
“It’s been a very 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 mom.
“Donations will be used for travel expenses, baby essentials, and support services for Gaby and the baby while they wait for the paperwork to be finalized,” 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 by friends who were hoping for a fun, carefree evening. Hours later, she woke up with no memory of what had happened that night and discovered that she had been drugged and assaulted.
Gaby gave birth to a baby girl (pictured) while visiting Australia from Costa Rica unaware she was pregnant after a night out where something was slipped into her drink nine months ago
“This traumatic event left her with emotional and physical scars. In the months that followed, she attempted to rebuild her life, unaware that the assault had resulted in a pregnancy.”
Mrs. Ramirez Soto said Gaby never looked pregnant, but always complained of being tired and wanting to stay home.
“That day Gaby had cramps and kept calling me,” she said.
“I told her I’d be home soon. Then she thought she’d peed on herself, which turned out to be her water breaking.
“She was reading online while I was having a drink with my husband and then she said, ‘I think I’m pregnant,’ so we called an ambulance.”
Mrs. Ramírez Soto said a urine test confirmed the pregnancy.
‘She was already six centimetres dilated, so I acted as a doula and interpreter, as Gaby’s English isn’t very good.’
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 him skin-to-skin and he slowly warmed up over the next few days,” Ramirez Soto said.
“She went from holding the baby to now breastfeeding him.”
Mrs. Ramirez Soto said that despite the extremely difficult circumstances, Gaby wants to keep the baby, who is “very healthy” according to doctors.
“Some people have made horrible comments to me like ‘Are you sure it really happened like that?’ or ‘Are you sure she didn’t know?’ I find it shocking that in 2024, victims can still be blamed,” she said.
Ms. Ramírez Soto implored the community in both Australia and her native Costa Rica to support her cousin.
“No one should have to go through what Gaby has been through… We can help her take the next step toward a brighter future,” he said.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, compassion and support. Every little bit counts, we can give Gaby the chance to start over surrounded by the love of her family.”
