WI mom who gave birth in coma holds newborn baby after beating COVID

MADISON, Wis. – A mom Poynette who miraculously recovered from COVID-19, giving birth in a coma, was able to hold her newborn daughter for the first time on January 27.

A press release from UW Health officials said Kelsey Townsend was nine months pregnant in October when she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

She gave birth on November 4 in a medically induced coma.

“For sure it’s been an emotional roller coaster – so many ups and downs,” said Kelsey’s husband Derek Townsend.

UW Health officials said Townsend’s condition “deteriorated rapidly” and she ended up spending 75 days in intensive care (an ECMO machine and ventilator).

In December, doctors determined that she would need a double lung transplant to survive, and UW Health officials said, “Her husband broke the news to her on Christmas Eve.”

“Telling her that she’s so sick, she won’t come home without it… that was difficult,” said Derek Townsend.

But a few days later, her condition improved “significantly” and she was moved out of the ICU.

In mid-January, Townsend was taken off the ventilator – and soon, completely taken off the transplant waiting list.

“We don’t know precisely what caused his lungs to begin to recover after nearly two months of severe illness,” said Dr. Dan McCarthy, UW Health cardiothoracic surgeon and director of the ECMO program.

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On January 27, Townsend left the hospital, reuniting with her husband and four children, including Lucy, the little girl she had never met.

“They did an absolutely amazing job,” said Derek Townsend.

As she left the hospital, Derek Townsend said, “I’m more nervous than I was on our wedding day or our first date, or the birth of our first child.

At home, Kelsey Townsend uses a minimal amount of oxygen support and will also require physical therapy.