EVERY woman knows that dreaded feeling of getting your period unexpectedly.
However, for one Nando’s employee her early cramping meant something entirely different.
Destiny Stephens-Coull, 22, had been working a shift at the Laindon, Essex, branch in April 2022 and felt cramps like her period starting – even though she wasn’t due on for two more weeks.
She ended up bleeding heavily in the toilet for over an hour – before being rushed to the nearby Basildon Hospital.
To her bewilderment, Destiny was told she was six months pregnant – despite having periods and gaining no weight.
She discovered she needed an emergency C-section under general anaesthetic and woke to meet her unexpected son, Kingsley, now two.
The baby then had to fight for his life after being born 10 weeks premature on April 13, weighing just three pounds one ounce.
Destiny has since returned to her restaurant with Kingsley in tow and was even sent a Nando’s-branded babygrow from the company.
Since giving birth, Destiny has decided not to go to university and instead focus her efforts on opening a new dance studio.
“We went into Nando’s when he was still in his pram and we went in there in to see my friends,” the mum-of-one said.
“I didn’t feel I needed to go back into the toilets though!
“I couldn’t believe that was where it all happened.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”I’ll be a gran at 38 as my daughter’s pregnant at 14 – I know instantly after the question she asked me” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368814309112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“After Nando’s found out I’d had a baby they got him a Nando’s babygrow
“We loved it – it was nice to know that we weren’t forgotten about.
“Even though I didn’t return to the job they just wanted to support me and know I was OK.”
She added that none of her former co-workers or friends have judged her, explaining “it’s nice to have all the love”.
“It’s a great anecdote too!” the Essex native said.
Destiny, who now works part-time at a bar alongside her dance classes, arrived at Nando’s just before starting her 3:00 PM shift on April 13.
She was completing her final year of college and had just been offered a place at university for the following year.
Like a typical 18-year-old, she went out clubbing on the weekends, wore crop tops, and drank booze with friends.
But as she arrived she felt what she thought was her period starting – despite not being due on – and rushed to the loo.
After 30 minutes, she called her manager to bring some tampons – but she was bleeding too heavily to use one.
“The toilets were like a murder scene – there was blood everywhere,” she recalled.
“We went to A&E with me bleeding through my work uniform.
“I was standing in the corner with a puddle of blood at my feet.
“I passed out from the blood loss and woke up to nurses around me.
“They asked me if I was pregnant – and I said no.”
Destiny recalled the disconnect she felt when she first met her baby boy.
“When I first saw Kingsley, I didn’t feel like a mum – he was adorable, but it felt like I’d been given a random baby to look after,” she said.
“But when I fed him for the first time, I knew he was mine.
“I never planned to have a child and I thought I’d be judged because I’m so young – but everyone has been so supportive.
“But I’m so happy – Kingsley is growing up to be such a kind and caring little boy.”
Little Kingsley was been born with two brain bleeds as well as hydrocephalus and jaundice.
The tot stayed in the NICU until August 2022, while doctors found a way to stabilise him.
After nearly three years of being a mum, Destiny has described it as “stressful” and says at times it still feels like she’s looking after a sibling.
[quote credit=”Destiny Stephens-Coull” credit-meta=”Mum-of-one”]It is weird and I’ve lost friends along the way but I think it shows who my real friends are.[/quote]“It is weird and I’ve lost friends along the way but I think it shows who my real friends are,” she said.
“It’s more about taking time for me and him now, which I really love.”
She’s now looking forward to moving out of the mother and baby unit she’s been living in and opening her dance studio.
“With my living situation, I’ve been in a mother and baby unit for nearly two years,” Destiny added.
“Opening the dance school will hopefully help me in the future and going to university doesn’t worry me too much.
“There are a lot of people who have got really far without university.
“Why can’t I build something on my own? I feel like I’m comfortable with the people around me now.”
