Mum who gave birth while in a coma after contracting coronavirus gets to meet her baby one month later
A woman who have birth while in a coma after contracting coronavirus finally got the chance to meet her daughter one month later.
Saskia Lane, 21, from Henfield, West Sussex, tested positive for COVID on August 27 and was admitted to intensive care at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath after breathing difficulties.
Lane, who at the time was eight months into her pregnancy, was sent for an emergency C-section on September 4 in order to help her body recover without being pregnant.
But following the birth of her daughter, Betsy Mae Blackman, doctors decided to keep her in an induced coma to give her the best chance of survival.
Read more: Mum delivers 'pumpkin baby' weighing a huge 14lb 15oz
Lane was eventually woken up on September 25, after four weeks in the coma, and hold her daughter for the first time on September 30 after her partner, Lee Blackman, 23, brought in the newborn to meet her mum.
She now wants to encourage other pregnant women to consider having the vaccine after she initially refused the jab.
"Saskia was diagnosed with gestational diabetes whilst pregnant with Betsy and decided not to have the vaccine initially after worrying about the impact it could have on Betsy," Lane's mum Becky Knight, 41, explains.
"I encouraged her to get the vaccine but unfortunately, she had her first jab a few days before contracting COVID."
Knight says Lane initially felt worn out and tired, but she then began experiencing breathing difficulties and on her third trip to A&E, they admitted her to the intensive care unit.
"The doctors decided that Betsy should be delivered immediately to help her body have a chance to fight the virus and she was aware of this," Knight continues.
Read more: Unusual methods parents are using to choose baby names
"But after putting her to sleep, doctors decided to keep her in an induced coma to give her body the chance to rest.
"We were all absolutely devastated - we couldn't go in and visit her because she had COVID and Lee wasn't able to meet Betsy until she was a few days old.
"When she was finally woken up, Saskia was extremely confused and didn't understand what had happened so I reassured her that Betsy was fine and healthy and we gave her, Lee, and Betsy the chance to meet for the first time privately."
Read more: Mum gives birth to 'amazing' IVF baby in bereavement suite while still suffering from coronavirus
After arriving at hospital the young mum was placed on life support for two and a half weeks and moved to several different hospitals as doctors battled to save her.
"The staff at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath were incredible and the nurses and doctors went above and beyond to look after her and save her life," Knight adds.
Watch: British mum gives birth to baby boy in footwell of her car minutes after arriving at hospital car park
Lane is still in hospital at Guy's Hospital in London receiving treatment after severe damage to her lungs.
Though she remains in hospital she has been able to see both Betsy and her eldest daughter, Eliza, two, on alternate days.
"Her lung has collapsed so it's only half the size of a normal lung," Knight continues.
"She also has sepsis in her lung and two drains.
"She's been in intensive care for nine weeks now and we can't wait for her to come home."
The family are currently fundraising to support the couple once Lane returns home from the hospital.
Blackman, who works as a panel beater, has had to work part-time following Lane's illness and is looking after both Betsy and Eliza while she is in hospital.
Knight added: "There's no funding if you contract COVID and are seriously ill and have to take time off work.
"She's also been diagnosed with postnatal depression so we're hoping to get her some more funding to cover therapy costs once she's home."
Additional reporting Caters.
