Scunthorpe nurse gives birth 11 weeks early whilst in ICU with covid

Baby Catherine was delivered by an emergency c-section

Rose and family
Author: Hannah NorburyPublished 10th Feb 2021
Last updated 10th Feb 2021

A theatre practitioner at Scunthorpe hospital spent 18 days in intensive care after she became critically ill with COVID-19 when she was 29 weeks pregnant.

Rose Jimmichen was taken to A&E after she nearly collapsed at home and spent the night on the Central Delivery Suite.

"I couldn't breathe, I was in so much pain when I breathed, I didn't want to breathe."

However, her condition deteriorated and as she struggled to breathe the decision was made to move her to intensive care.

Rose said:

"I never thought I'd get through it because I was that poorly, I couldn't breathe at all, I was in so much pain when I breathed, I was like I don't want to breathe.

"I felt like someone was squeezing my lungs, because obviously my lungs were completely collapsed, it was painful, I can not explain how the pain was.

"I felt awful, everything was going out of my hands, and I was so worried about the baby, but because I was already breathless, it was a terrifying moment."

"I thought we both might not survive."

Baby Catherine Rose was delivered prematurely, 11 weeks early, by emergency C-section and was transferred to NICU. Staff arranged regular video calls so Rose could be kept up-to-date with her daughter’s progress and see her.

She continued:

"I thought we both might not survive.

"Thinking about them taking me for a C-section, I couldn't bare the thought and I was restless and agitated.

"I didn't agree with it, I said no. But by the time I was going to theatre I was really worried, I was only 29 weeks and I was on high oxygen on a cpap mask."

After spending a total of 33 days away from her family and baby Catherine, they are both back at home recovering.

Zoe Huteson, operational matron for surgery and critical care, said:

“Caring for one of your colleagues when they are so ill is tough on the whole team, but when you consider that Rose was pregnant as well, it made it all the more emotional for everyone.

“It was such a relief and wonderful news when Rose and her daughter were both well enough to go home.”

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