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Antrim Woman Awakens from Coma to Shocking Pregnancy News After Drink Spiking Incident
BELFAST – A young woman from Antrim, Laura Taggart, 20, experienced a harrowing ordeal that began on her 18th birthday, leading to a coma, a life-threatening medical emergency, and the unexpected news of a pregnancy.
The terrifying events unfolded as Taggart celebrated her 18th birthday with friends. While walking along Shankill Road, she suddenly suffered seizures and was rushed to the Mater Hospital in Belfast. Upon arrival, her heart stopped for 16 minutes before medical staff successfully resuscitated her and placed her in an induced coma.
A week later, Taggart regained consciousness in the intensive care unit with no recollection of the preceding events. It was then that doctors delivered another profound shock: she was pregnant. In an interview, Taggart expressed immense gratitude for avoiding lasting brain damage, though her pregnancy journey was far from smooth.
At 25 weeks, her water broke, and medical professionals warned of her baby’s slim chances of survival. Defying expectations, Taggart did not deliver for another nine weeks. Her daughter, Lucia, arrived at 34 weeks via emergency C-section, weighing a mere 4 lbs 11 ounces, and spent a month in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Just as Taggart and Lucia began to settle into their new life, Taggart faced additional severe health complications. “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,” Taggart shared. “But the staff there were incredible and eventually she was able to make it home.”
However, soon after Lucia’s discharge, Taggart suffered a severe chest infection that triggered a critical asthma attack, necessitating a central line placement in her neck. “It went from me visiting Lucia in the NICU to her visiting me in the ICU,” she recounted.
While in the Royal Intensive Care Unit, Taggart was informed she would need to be put into an induced sleep to allow her lungs to heal. Due to her previous cardiac arrest, doctors cautioned there was a chance she might not survive. “I said goodbye to Lucia and my mom as I thought I would never see them again,” Taggart revealed, “but thankfully, the doctors were able to clear the infection out of my lungs.”
After several weeks in the hospital, Taggart was discharged, and she and Lucia have now begun their new life together in their first home.
Taggart extended her heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported her and Lucia through this arduous period, especially her mother, who cared for Lucia during her hospital stays, and the charity TinyLife, which provided crucial support. “Having a premature baby whilst 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 stated.
Taggart also issued a stark warning about the dangers of drink spiking. “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.”