A North Belfast woman was told she was pregnant as she woke from a coma after she went into cardiac arrest when she got spiked while celebrating her 18th birthday.
Laura Taggart, 20, was out celebrating her 18th birthday with her friends and was walking down Shankill Road when she suddenly started having seizures and was quickly taken to the Mater Hospital. The teenager went into cardiac arrest after she arrived with her heart stopping for 16 minutes before she was able to be stabilised and put in a coma.
One week later Laura woke up in intensive care unaware of what had happened and was soon given more life-changing news as doctors had discovered she was pregnant.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Laura said that she was very lucky not to suffer any permanent brain damage although she did face some complications in her pregnancy. At 25 weeks her waters broke and doctors told her that her baby would probably not survive, however she did not actually give birth until nine weeks later.
Her daughter Lucia was born at 34 weeks via an emergency c-section and weighed just 4lbs 11 ounces and was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit for a month. Then when things started to get settled for the pair, Laura suffered further health issues.
Laura said: “It was so hard watching Lucia when she was in the NICU as there were times they had to take air out of her lungs with a needle that looked so huge compared to her tiny body. But the staff there were incredible and eventually she was able to make it home.
“Just as we were starting to get settled in together I suffered a severe chest infection that led me to have a bad asthma attack and I had to be rushed into theatre and have a central line placed in my neck. It went from me visiting Lucia in the NICU to her visiting me in the ICU. After being in the Royal Intensive Care Unit I was told that I had to be put asleep to give my lungs more time to heal and that due to my previous cardiac arrest there was a chance that I may not make it. I said goodbye to Lucia and my mum as I thought I would never see them again but thankfully the doctors were able to clear the infection out of my lungs.
“After a few weeks in hospital I was able to leave and Lucia and I have been able to start our lives in our first home together.
“I am just so thankful to everyone who was able to help Lucia and I throughout all of this, particularly my mum who looked after Lucia while I was in hospital and the charity TinyLife supported me and my daughter through one of the most overwhelming periods of my life.
“Having a premature baby while dealing with my own health issues was incredibly frightening and their reassurance, understanding and support helped me cope and feel less alone during such a difficult time.”
She added: “I want people to understand drink spiking is not funny or a joke it can change lives forever it nearly cost me and my baby our lives. Thankfully we were very lucky and are still here.”
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