A single mother-to-be revealed she met her future husband by taking the plunge and going on a first date while she was eight months pregnant. Sarah Connors, a student from Bristol, said she was facing the prospect of motherhood alone having broken up with her ex-partner before discovering she was expecting.
But two months before her due date, the 28-year-old set up a profile on app Oasis Dating and just weeks later agreed to go on a date with shop assistant Lance.
There was instant chemistry between the pair and they even slept together before Sarah had given birth.
She and Lance got engaged within five months of dating and got married this year, with Sarah's daughter Elodie, now two, calling Lance 'daddy'.
Sarah, a hairdressing and beauty student, said: 'I assumed that no one would want to date me while I was pregnant, but I felt lonely seeing other couples with babies, so I joined the app to keep myself entertained more than anything else!
'I know there's a taboo around dating during pregnancy but my family and friends were very supportive. If I hadn't done it, I would never have met Lance.
'I would encourage other pregnant women to go on dates if that's what they want to do. You might not find the man of your dreams, but if you're unhappy alone it's better to be having fun.'
Sarah set up a dating profile in July 2013 and was upfront about being heavily pregnant.
After chatting to 'shy' Lance, now 27, for some weeks, they discovered they lived near one another in Bristol and agreed to meet.
Sarah said: 'I kept my profile very casual and mentioned that I had a baby due in September and I hoped that didn't faze anyone.
'I knew some people wouldn't want anything to do with me, but I hoped others would be open-minded.
'Me and Lance started messaging on the app, then added each other on Facebook, and I could tell he was lovely. It was his idea to meet up and he didn't seem freaked out that I was pregnant.
'We met at a pub to have a meal together and it was quite relaxed, although I think he was shocked when he saw the size of my bump.
'I was wearing a maxi dress and he said, "You are quite pregnant, aren't you?" But he didn't make a big deal out of it.
'We've been stuck together ever since. He worked nights so he'd come over and keep me company during the afternoons. He even stayed over with me before Elodie was born.