A mom and her brand-new baby were both left fighting for their lives at the same Midland hospital with the same condition. The mother, known only as Helen, and her daughter, Maeve, both needed ventilators to help them breathe after experiencing a rare condition called myasthenia gravis, which can cause muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. The two were under the care of Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, where they had their first skin-to-skin contact in the Intensive Care Unit.
First Meeting in Intensive Care
Helen, who has the condition, transferred some of her antibodies to Maeve, leading to both of them needing medical assistance to breathe. Maeve initially required basic breathing support, but her condition quickly worsened, requiring intubation and ventilation to open her airway and aid in breathing. Shortly after Maeve’s birth, Helen’s condition also deteriorated, prompting doctors to admit her to the Intensive Care Unit for the same procedures.
A Touching Reunion
Due to Helen’s condition, she was unable to visit Maeve in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, depriving her of the opportunity to hold her newborn daughter. However, with both Helen and Maeve stable on their ventilators, the neonatal team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital organized a plan to transport Maeve to the adult Intensive Care Unit. This allowed Helen and Maeve to have their first skin-to-skin contact, with Helen’s husband and parents present to witness the touching moment.
