My month-old girl spent 10 days in coma
A MUM whose month-old girl spent 10 days in a coma with whooping cough is urging pregnant women to have the jab.
Polly Deehy had a rattly cough and laboured breathing at two weeks. After four days coughing at home last month she suddenly turned blue and parents Kerry Pearson, 26 and Jack Deehy, 29, rushed her to Darent Valley Hospital, in Dartford, Kent.
She got worse and was moved to St Mary’s Hospital in London where she was diagnosed with the condition and put on a ventilator.
Polly is now awake and breathing independently.
Kerry said: “I’ve never been more relieved. It was the best thing ever. There’s no evidence of any lasting problems, but she might have a bit of weakness in her lungs. Time will tell.
“I just want people to be aware. You should have the whooping cough vaccine when you’re pregnant. If you’re not offered it then please demand it.”
This was echoed by Molly Pickering, 25, of Co Durham, whose one-month-old Rosie Robson had two weeks in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, including time in intensive care, with the condition.
Molly said she recalled being offered the vaccine while pregnant but did not think there was enough information about how awful the illness can be.
She said: “At the hospital, the woman who was looking after Rosie said they had seen nothing like this [the number of whooping cough cases].”