This is a mother's incredible reaction when she realises her baby is a boy, not a girl

Surprise.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

You've likely had those moments in life of being so sure of something, only for the end result to be wildly different.

It's something that is rarely captured on camera, which makes the photograph of new mother Koto Nakamura giving birth on May 20 in Hobart, Australia just a bit more special. 

Nakamura and her husband, Sina Niakansafy, were expecting a baby girl. There were plans to name her Hinata, and the Australian couple was showered with pink gifts in the lead-up to the birth.


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Well, it turns out that the baby girl is actually a boy, and Nakamura's reaction to the news says it all.

A photo posted by @ittybittyphotographytas on

The moment was captured by Jessica Jackson, a Hobart-based photographer, who has been capturing births for four years. She was astounded by what unfolded in front of her. "We were all so shocked," she told Mashable Australia via email. 

Strangely, a midwife who had been in the delivery room earlier, had told a story of a similar situation. "We were all joking, trying to imagine what that would be like or feel like. Well we didn't have to wonder for long because it happened to Koto," Jackson said.

"There was a huge buzz in the room, it had been a long labour, and we were all very tired. But once that baby was out we were all well and truly alive. I actually lost my voice for a whole week afterwards because of the squeals and talking and excitement."

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable


Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

At first, Nakamura thought that everyone was having a laugh at her expense, when it was announced the baby was a boy. "I thought everyone was joking... I lost words and I couldn't believe it until I saw his bottom," she told TODAY Parents.

The baby boy has been named Taiga, a Japanese name meaning "big and gracious." As for Nakamura's reaction, it was a mere expression of surprise. It, of course, doesn't matter to her the baby's gender. "I was shocked for a few seconds and then it didn't matter if it was a girl or a boy," she said.

Jackson is happy she captured the moment and that the parents were happy with the photograph. 

"Koto can't believe her face could actually look like that," Jackson said. "I am so excited that when Taiga is older they will be able to retell his birth story and show him exactly how mum looked at that moment. That is pretty special."

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable


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Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

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