Frontline respiratory therapist, Angela Primachenko decided it was time to self-isolate when she was 30 weeks pregnant. She wanted to ensure her 11-month-old daughter, her husband, and her unborn baby were healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, within three weeks of being home, she developed a cough. At a second visit to the hospital where she works, she was admitted for observation. That evening she went into respiratory distress. Doctors put Angela into a medically induced coma and she woke to find she had given birth to a beautiful baby daughter. (1)
Miraculous Birth While Mom In Coma
Angela, 27, was hooked up to a ventilator while in an induced coma when her daughter Ava was born. “I didn’t realize that I had the baby really until I was probably already out of the ICU,” she says. “It still hasn’t hit me.” Her obstetrician called it a “miraculous” delivery. (1)
Although Angela doesn’t remember the birth, she does remember the joy she felt when she was finally allowed to hold Ava in her arms. Doctors at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington made sure Angela was free of the virus before she held Ava, insisting she pass two consecutive negative tests. Angela spent time watching Ava on Facetime during the excruciating time between tests. She was finally allowed to hold her on April 16, 2020. (1)
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Our little sunshine is doing amazing!planning to come home this weekend! 💞
Father Watches Birth While Wife In Coma
Angela’s husband, who was awaiting test results for the virus at the time of the birth, was able to watch the birth via Facetime. Ava was placed on a ventilator for a day and weighed 5 pounds. Although she remained in the hospital, she was COVID-19 free and doing well. Ava’s dad has since tested negative for the virus. (1)
Mother In Coma Struggles To Breathe
Leading up to her second emergency visit, Angela suffered from severe breathing difficulties. “I was just literally like, ‘God, just get me through five more minutes.’ … Because the difficulty with breathing was so much harder. I’m like, gasping for air, you know, at that point,” says Angela. “You’re trying to breathe but you just can’t.” (1)
As a respiratory therapist, she knew her difficulty breathing meant she would be intubated. After being induced into a coma, the medical team decided it was in the best interest of both Angela and the baby to deliver the child. At the time of the birth, Angela was close to 34 weeks gestation. (1)
Mom Recovering From Coma And COVID-19
“I am recovering, definitely feeling better every single day. … It’s crazy. … Last night, I was lying in bed and I’m like ‘Is this like reality?'” she says. “There’s so many people who are just living in fear every single day. … I would just say to the moms, I did everything right. I did all the precautions… and I still got it. And just life happens. … I would just say just live life in happiness and joy and community and God.” (1)
When Angela was wheeled from the ICU, her coworkers cheered. Her baby daughter Ava will be home soon, once doctors are satisfied she is feeding properly. (1)
