Pregnancy is a beautiful time for many mothers-to-be, but one woman missed the birth of her child entirely as she was in a coma when she went into labour. Laura Ward was in a coma for seven weeks after she had become unwell while pregnant with her daughter.
The 33-year-old was still unconscious in the medically induced coma when it came time for her baby to be delivered. Her partner John, 37, refused to name the baby until Laura woke and she was permitted to come home. Laura was discharged days before Christmas 2021, returning to her family with her new daughter.
To make the Christmas even more special, John then proposed on Christmas Eve to the new mum.
The couple are now married and looking forward to a family Christmas this year.
Laura told the Mirror : "It has been a rollercoaster. When I woke up from the coma, I had no idea I'd given birth. John showed me our daughter and I was shell-shocked.
"It's been a long road back to recovery, but I have a fabulous family and friends. When I got home, John had planned a romantic proposal on Christmas Eve, and it was absolutely magical. That moment was so special."
The mum from Bolton became ill in July 2021 when she was 31-weeks pregnant.
She explained: "I had a cough and felt ill, and I tested positive for Covid. I am fit and healthy, so it wasn't too much of a worry."
Laura, a teaching assistant, was admitted to hospital and because of breathing difficulties, she was placed in a coma.
Whilst unconscious, her daughter, Hope, was born by emergency C-section at 31-weeks, more than two months before her due date of October 15.
Things took a turn when Laura, who is also mum to three-year-old William was then placed on an ECMO machine, and her family was warned she was dying.
Thankfully the now mum of two pulled through and awoke seven weeks later on September 30. It was only then she was able to meet her new baby for the first time.
Laura, who also has stepchildren, Josh, 15, and Lexi, 10, said: "It was incredibly emotional, holding her in my arms. I was so shocked that I had missed the first weeks of her life.
"I had no recollection of her being born or even being told that I was being taken to theatre.
"I was still attached to lots of tubes, and I couldn't talk or move. I could only nod my head.
"John waited until I could talk and then we chose her name together. Hope seemed like the perfect name."
Although she was awake and able to communicate, Laura's recovery was slow and she remained in hospital for 15 weeks.
She added: "I didn't see my son, William, for over three months - he came into the hospital in October on his third birthday. I had missed his first day at nursery.
"John kept a scrapbook of stuff so I could keep up, but I still felt so sad.
"I had to learn to feed myself, brush my teeth, all the things you learn as a toddler. I didn't walk until December and that was when I was holding William's hand, which was very emotional."
Laura was allowed home days before Christmas and on Christmas Eve, John proposed, using a series of signs made by the children, and playing the couple's favourite song, 'Dancing On My Own' which they had sung together in hospital.
The happy couple were able to tie the knot this summer.
Laura added: "Christmas this year will be very precious, it means the world just to be at home and to have my family around me."
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