Woman Who Gave Birth In Induced Coma After Contracting COVID-19 Celebrates Mother’s Day

A woman in New York is gearing up to celebrate her first Mother’s Day after giving birth while she was placed in a medically induced coma due to being infected with COVID-19.

Serena Torres was seven months pregnant in October when she contracted COVID-19. Although she initially didn’t take her diagnosis seriously, her condition quickly deteriorated.

“I didn’t think it was that serious because I was 28 years old. I was young, relatively healthy, worked out every day,” she said.

However, Torres began experiencing breathing problems and was taken to Westchester Medical Center. After her kidneys, heart, and lungs began to fail, doctors place her in a medically induced coma.

The medical staff then performed an emergency cesarean section because the baby was at risk. “An incredibly rare event where we end up delivering a baby in a person who’s had her lungs, heart, and kidneys completely shut down,” said Dr. Dip Chandy.

Torres’ daughter, Alessandra Rose, was born two months early but was healthy enough to go home before her mother, who remained in a coma for six weeks.

Alessandra tested negative for COVID-19 after her birth but tested positive for antibodies.

Torres met her daughter for the first time four months after Alessandra’s birth. Although she doesn’t remember much about what led to her medically induced coma, Torres is finally at home with her family.

While she was in a coma, Torres’ toes were amputated due to a lack of movement. She is in a wheelchair and learning how to walk but is happy to be able to celebrate her first Mother’s Day with her healthy baby girl.