Florida mother held newborn baby for just minutes before dying from COVID-19 days later

BREVARD COUNTY, Florida – The family of Kristen McMullen, 30, said she was a fighter and thirsty for a living. That she was outgoing, doing everything she could think of, including a recent promotion to the role of general manager of a hotel. But his ultimate dream would be short-lived.

“It was a dream for her to have a baby and a family. Keith is the love of her life,” said James Syverson, Kristen’s uncle.

That dream for McMullen only lasted just over a week after she was taken to a Melbourne hospital 8 months pregnant with COVID-19. Her symptoms were so severe that doctors had to perform a Caesarean section to deliver her daughter, Summer, weeks earlier.

“She held it for a brief moment. There are two pictures of her holding Summer and then she had to go to intensive care because she had respiratory complications, ”said McMullen’s aunt, Melissa Syverson.

It was the last time the new mom held her baby girl in her arms. As her condition worsened with pneumonia, her husband Keith could only share the joy of their new baby through video chat. McMullen was eventually put on a ventilator and died on August 6.

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The family did not share with News 6 whether or not McMullen received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We really thought she was young, full of energy and perfectly healthy, we thought she was going to be okay,” said Melissa Syverson.

“She gave everything to the baby and gave everything to fight this disease, and unfortunately the disease won. Absolutely terrible, ”said James Syverson.

Dr Lori Boardman, quality manager at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando Health, said there had been an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients at the hospital who were pregnant with cases serious.

“They definitely have pneumonia and need oxygen,” Boardman said. “If the baby is not looking well because sometimes the heart rate slows down, we have to give birth before they are supposed to be born.”

Boardman said the best thing pregnant women can do to protect themselves and their babies is get vaccinated against COVID and follow CDC recommendations like wearing a mask and social distancing.

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“One of the most important questions I get is, ‘Does this increase the risk of miscarriage? The data says no. We don’t see any negative impact from getting the vaccination, ”Boardman said. “We have seen babies receive antibodies from their mothers who are vaccinated, which protects them. “

The McMullen family are now trying to overcome their heartbreaking tragedy.

“It’s such a loss all around. Summer having no mother, I having no niece, Keith having no wife, ”said James.

The family rallies around Keith and his daughter Summer during this difficult time. They said that when Summer got older they would share memories of her mother with her. The family also set up a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses as well as financial support for Keith, who is now a single dad.

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The McMullen family would like to send a message to other pregnant women to take care of themselves and follow the advice of doctors and the CDC to avoid contracting the virus and potentially losing their lives.