Mum who battled coronavirus holds eight-week-old baby boy for the first time
A first-time mother has held her baby for the first time after battling coronavirus while she was pregnant.
Ellie Wright, 20, from Beechdale in Walsall, couldn't start life-saving treatment after contracting Covid-19 until her baby had been delivered.
Leo was born by emergency caesarean, 10 weeks premature at 3.07pm on January 12 – and needed to be put on a ventilator for 24 hours at Walsall Manor Hospital's neonatal unit.
But Ellie was transferred to the hospital's critical care unit where she was seriously ill, fighting both coronavirus and pneumonia.
Last month she was finally able to meet her baby boy and hold his hand – and on Thursday she got to hold Leo for the first time and is now continuing her recovery on a ward at the hospital.
Ellie was supported by Hazel Brookes and Xana Marriott from the hospital, and little Leo, who is now eight weeks old, snoozed happily in his mother's arms.
Ellie, who said Leo was heavier than she thought he would be, added: "He did do a dirty nappy though.
“I haven’t read the diary that neonatal staff kept for me while he was there yet but I will look at it properly.
"He looks like me – he’s got my nose!”
Rehabilitation
Baby Leo is now at home with his nan and grandad and is thriving after being born weighing 4 pounds 4 ounces.
Ellie has been able to leave the critical care unit and is progressing well on a ward now, receiving rehabilitation.
She said: “I have been able to stand and I am working on using a frame to be able to get into a chair.
“My oxygen has been reduced and the tracheostomy has gone so I can speak now. I really missed having a cup of tea and I do still want one of my mum’s curries when I get home.”
Ellie is now focusing on being home for her 21st birthday in May.
Xana and Hazel have been working together to arrange for Ellie to hold Leo now that she is on the road to recovery.
Xana, senior sister for critical care rehabilitation, said: “She is doing really well and it’s lovely to be able to have conversations with her and see her personality coming through. And baby Leo is just gorgeous, she should be very proud of herself.”
Hazel, specialist midwife for infant feeding, added: “It has been lovely to support Ellie with feeding and transition to parenthood and to have close contact with her baby.
"He loved his mum’s cuddles and I am sure she will get stronger and stronger each day knowing her little boy needs his mum.”
