A MUM whose family did not know she was pregnant died from an infection she contracted after a mystery birth, it has been revealed.

Kelly Garman was found dead on Boxing Day by her 13-year-old daughter in bed at their Lordshill home in Southampton .

It was only when a post-mortem examination was carried out on her body that medics realised she had been pregnant – and had even recently given birth – an inquest was told.

She was killed by an aggressive infection of the uterus and cervix due to lack of medical care, Southampton Coroners’ Court heard.

Despite extensive attempts to find out what had happened to the mum of three, no records could be found of where she gave birth or what happened to the baby thought to be of five to six months’ gestation.

Ms Garman’s GP at Lordshill district surgery had no records of a pregnancy, she had not been to hospital and even her mother did not know she was pregnant, Southampton Coroners’ Court heard.

Police were called to the 41-year-old’s home in Cromer Road on December 26 last year when her teenage daughter arrived home to find her mother dead in bed and her two young siblings downstairs.

PC Patrick Young told the court he was satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Ms Garman’s death.

Pathologist Dr Sanjay Jogai said the post-mortem examination found her uterus was very enlarged and further tests revealed she had delivered.

He postponed his findings to try to establish where and how the birth had taken place – but to no success.

Ms Garman last saw her GP Dr Mike Barnfield in February 2011 but there was no evidence of pregnancy, miscarriage or abortion.

Dr Jogai said: “The most important thing here is the circumstances surrounding the delivery which we just do not know. It is very clear the appropriate care was not taken or given.”

He said Ms Garman died from sepsis due to the infection she received from the birth.

Coroner Keith Wiseman, said: “These are unusual circumstances.

“In this particular case giving birth in whatever circumstances, of which we have no idea at all, seems to have led directly to death and lack of medical care was even more so causative of death.

“It seems Mrs Garman was unwise in the way she dealt with this pregnancy but I think it would be wrong of me to say more than that not knowing more about the circumstances.”

He recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.