A woman discovered she was pregnant after waking from a coma – after going into cardiac arrest when she was spiked while celebrating her 18th birthday.
Laura Taggart, 20, from Belfast, had been out celebrating with mates when she suddenly started having seizures and was rushed to the hospital. The teenager’s heart stopped for 16 minutes after her arrival, before medics managed to stabilise her and place her in an induced coma.
A week later, Laura regained consciousness in intensive care with no recollection of events – only to receive further earth-shattering news when doctors revealed she was pregnant.
Laura acknowledged her fortune in avoiding any lasting brain damage, though her pregnancy wasn’t without its challenges. Her waters broke at 25 weeks, with doctors warning her that her baby would likely not make it – yet she didn’t actually deliver until nine weeks later.
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Her daughter Lucia arrived at 34 weeks through an emergency caesarean section, weighing just 4lbs 11 ounces, and spent a month in the neonatal intensive care unit. Just as life appeared to be settling down for mother and child, Laura encountered additional health complications, reports Belfast Live.
Laura said: “It was so hard watching Lucia when she was in the NICU as there were times they had to take air out of her lungs with a needle that looked so huge compared to her tiny body. But the staff there were incredible and eventually she was able to make it home.
“Just as we were starting to get settled in together I suffered a severe chest infection that led me to have a bad asthma attack and I had to be rushed into theatre and have a central line placed in my neck. It went from me visiting Lucia in the NICU to her visiting me in the ICU.
“After being in the Royal Intensive Care Unit I was told that I had to be put asleep to give my lungs more time to heal and that due to my previous cardiac arrest there was a chance that I may not make it. I said goodbye to Lucia and my mum as I thought I would never see them again, but thankfully the doctors were able to clear the infection out of my lungs.
“After a few weeks in hospital I was able to leave and Lucia and I have been able to start our lives in our first home together.
“I am just so thankful to everyone who was able to help Lucia and I throughout all of this, particularly my mum who looked after Lucia whilst I was in hospital and the charity TinyLife supported me and my daughter through one of the most overwhelming periods of my life.
“Having a premature baby whilst dealing with my own health issues was incredibly frightening and their reassurance, understanding and support helped me cope and feel less alone during such a difficult time.”
She continued: “I want people to understand drink spiking is not funny or a joke it can change lives forever it nearly cost me and my baby our lives. Thankfully we were very lucky and are still here.”
