Coronavirus: Woman gives birth to twins while in Covid-19 coma

Babies delivered two months early at doctor mother’s place of work

Ms Uke said when she woke up, at first she thought she had lost her babies (Sky News)

A coronavirus patient who was pregnant with twins woke up from a coma in hospital to find her babies had been delivered alive and well.

Perpetual Uke was around six months pregnant when she began to feel unwell with Covid-19 symptoms in March.

Ms Uke, a rheumatology consultant at Birmingham City Hospital, fell seriously ill and ended up on a ventilator in her own place of work.

She was in the induced coma for almost a month, during which time doctors decided it would be safer for her and the twins if they were delivered prematurely by caesarean section. 

 When Ms Uke came round, at first she thought the babies had not survived.

She told Sky News: “I was pregnant at 24 to 25 weeks, at that stage, and by the time I woke up, I was so disorientated. I thought I'd lost my pregnancy because I couldn't see my bump any more. I was really worried and disorientated.”

The twins, who Ms Uke and husband Matthew have named Sochika Palmer and Osinachi Pascal, were cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit until they were 116 days old. The family were clapped out of the unit by an emotional team when they were finally able to leave the hospital.

Ms Uke, who also has two two older children, told the Wolverhampton-based Express and Star: “The first time I met the twins was very emotional. I was happy that we were all alive, but obviously concerned about their severe prematurity which has its own risks.

“I remain ever grateful to God almighty for using the amazing NICU team in restoring their lives.”

She told Sky News: “Sometimes I look at them in tears. I never knew they would make it. It is amazing what medical professional science can offer.”