An Australian mom was struck with such a severe case of the flu while pregnant that she still has no idea that she already gave birth.
According to The Age Victoria, 33-year-old Sarah Hawthorn had just a few more weeks to go in her pregnancy when she was suddenly struck down by a nasty case of the flu.
Though Hawthorn initially went to see a doctor in Victoria for the illness, she was sent home so many times that she just decided to recuperate at home.
It wasn’t until Hawthorn was finally diagnosed with Influenza A, pneumonia, and other serious medical complications that doctors finally realized there was something seriously wrong with the mom-to-be.
Since last month, Hawthorn has been placed in a medically induced coma, during which time she gave birth to a baby boy.
The baby boy, who will be called “Bomber Hawk” until his mother wakes up from her coma to name him, had to be delivered five weeks early.
Hawthorn’s family has since decided to create a GoFundMe page to help raise enough money to cover the new mom’s massive medical costs.
"Sarah remains in an induced coma, fighting for her life, unaware that she has given birth to the most perfect little baby boy," Hawthorn’s sister-in-law Rachael Holt posted on the fundraising page. “As you can imagine the cost of living 270 kilometres away from home, maintaining a bedside vigil by your wife in ICU and also caring for a newborn is quickly taking its toll.”
"At present she is fully machine-supported and literally fighting for her life. The joy of the arrival of her precious baby...tinged with sadness as we continue to hope and pray for the best possible outcome,” she added. "Her baby boy has never had the chance to lay with his mum, snuggle into her chest or hear her infectious laugh."
"The funds raised will be used to help pay for travel and accommodation, living expenses and ongoing medical expenses as Sarah will have a long rehabilitation once she makes it through," she continued.
Since Hawthorn went into a coma, her husband, Robert, has been by her side to help take care of her and their baby boy.
"Please help support one of our own Sarah is a very highly valued member of the Cobram Campdraft Committee,” the Cobram Campdrafting Club, where Hawthorn is a member, wrote on Facebook. "This amazing girl and her husband Rob go above and beyond to help our club and our sport out every year in away they can."
