A mum, who was in a coma for two weeks after her baby was born, has shared the moment she woke up and saw her son for the first time.
Becky Rule, from Wales, can’t remember the joyous reunion after she almost died from a serious brain infection which she developed while pregnant.
The 27-year-old from Wrexham was given a 20% chance of survival but is now on the road to recovery despite suffering memory loss and having to learn to read and write again.
Becky arrived at hospital with a severe migraine and confused speech the day before her baby was due, the Daily Post reports.
Both mum and baby were found to have an extremely high heart rate, leaving doctors at Wrexham Maelor Hospital with little option but to carry out an emergency cesarean.
Baby Jackson was born a healthy 8lb 13oz and was moved to the hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit for observation for the next seven days.
Meanwhile, Becky was left fighting for her life after suffering multiple seizures and was whisked to the Walton Centre in Liverpool where she spent the next two weeks in a medically-induced coma.
A lumber puncture revealed she had meningoencephalitis, also known as encephalomeningitis – an inflammation of the brain and its surrounding protective membranes.
Resembling both meningitis and encephalitis, it can be caused by bacteria and viruses.
Becky’s partner, Dan Harries, 25, had to take on the full care of the couple’s baby while his partner battled for life.
Becky, a women’s wear manager at Debenhams in Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham said: “I was given a 20% chance of survival.
“My family were told that even if I did make it through, it was likely I would have no memory or be able to walk or talk.
“They didn’t know where in my brain the infection had hit and they couldn’t be 100% sure of the outcome.
“I still don’t know how I got it.”
She added: “I had a perfect pregnancy and worked right up until I was 38 weeks.
“I didn’t have any morning sickness, I was fine.”
Doctors gave Becky steroid injections to reduce the swelling on her brain as a last resort before operating.
The treatment worked and Becky was brought out of her coma two weeks after giving birth.
She finally met Jackson in an emotional reunion in hospital, which was captured on video, but Becky cannot remember anything of the experience.
It would signal the start of a very long journey to recovery.
The illness has left her with short-term memory loss, loss of taste and the inability to feel full or hungry. It has even forced her to learn to read and write all over again.
Becky spent five weeks in hospital and believes her decision to get checked out quickly probably saved the life of her baby son.
“I thank God I went in as fast as I did. I was so lucky I had an emergency C-section and nothing was transferred to Jackson,” she said.
“Jackson was my absolute priority. I just wanted to be home and be a family.
“But I still couldn’t talk. Even when I came home I could only say odd words. It was weird.
“I struggled to hold his milk bottle. At first, I’d have to set alarms on my phone to remind me of milk feeds.
“Essentially, they’ve said I needed to start again.
“I need to teach myself as if I were a child again. I’m nowhere near 100%.
“I spent a lot of time practising but it’s difficult when you have a young baby.”
Becky credited her partner Dan for keeping everything together and encouraging her progress.
“Dan was amazing. As soon as Jackson was out of hospital he brought him to see me,” she said.
Dan, who also works at Debenhams said: “There was no feeling, it was just shock.
“The doctor came in to us and said it was an infection on the brain and to prepare for the worst,” he said.
“But we convinced ourselves she’d be ok. Some people are so unlucky. With what happened it could’ve been much worse. You just have to get on with it.”
Becky is now hoping to help other survivors in their journey back to full health by taking part in Liverpool’s Colour Obstacle Rush in June to raise money for the Encephalitis Society, which provides advice and support to people who have been affected by the condition.
“They have been absolutely amazing,” said Becky.
“The society is run by doctors and people who can give real medical advice. They are people who want to help rather than focus on the negatives."
Becky has set a target of raising £2,000 in aid of the charity in gratitude for their support – and has already secured £600 worth of sponsorship.
Among those supporting Becky are her colleagues at Eagles Meadow, who rallied around raising money for the couple when Jackson was born.
Debenhams manager Torrey Winter said: “Becky and Dan have endured a terribly traumatic year and we are so grateful that they are now home as a family with Jackson.
“The support and medical care Becky received during her illness was exceptional and I’m sure many of the team will be keen to sponsor her fundraising activities to help other people who have been affected by the condition.”
