Katherine Dawson, 36 years old, and her baby girl, Ruby, were given the all-clear signal this week, returning home after nearly 40 days in the hospital due to the coronavirus.
In March, Katherine of Garstang, England, had developed what she thought was a minor chest infection. However, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, doctors immediately tested her for COVID-19, soon confirming that she was positive. At that time, Katherine was 32 weeks pregnant.
Later on, she underwent an emergency cesarean section to protect both her and her unborn child.
On April 1, her daughter, Ruby, was born two months premature and weighing just 4 pounds and 12 ounces.
Ruby was also then tested for the virus. The newborn baby girl was also positive.
Katherine, who was kept in isolation, stayed in contact with her family through video calls and messages. However, the new mom's condition only worsened. She was placed in a medically induced coma and required a ventilator. At the time, Katherine was given a 50-50 chance of survival.
Her daughter, Ruby, on the other hand, was kept in the neonatal unit, wherein she was being treated for the virus.
Katherine's husband, Stuart, was not permitted to see his wife nor his new child because of the hospital's restrictions due to the pandemic. Hence, he was only able to receive daily updates from the hospital staff about his wife and daughter's condition.
According to Blackpool Victoria consultant Dr. Jason Cupitt, it was a very challenging case. He said that they were very concerned if Katherine could make it. The doctor also added that that case was a particularly emotional case for everyone.
For Stuart, who also shares two other children with Katherine, Grace, 5, and Ava, 11 months, Dr. Jason's updates and the daily diaries from the neonatal unit were the things that kept him going and his lifeline. He also mentioned that without those diaries, his newborn child, Ruby, and him, would have been strangers.
Finally, after days without improvement, Katherine's condition began to improve.
As stated by Dr. Jason, Katherine was deeply sedated, and they did not see much of a change. However, after five days, there was a spark of light at the end of the tunnel; her oxygen levels started to improve.
This week, after 37 days in the hospital, both mother and daughter, Katherine and Ruby, were discharged. Both of them were sent off to the sound of cheering and applause from the hospital staff.
During these trying times, it is essential to trust medical and healthcare professionals. On the other hand, family members should also be there for each other; to support them, and be their first line of defense.
Stuart expressed how grateful he is to the hospital staff for all their help. He said he owes his future to them. He also admitted that if not for them saving his wife and daughter's life, he thought that he was going to be a widow looking after their young children on his own.
