A MUM who fell seriously ill after contracting coronavirus when she was 17 weeks pregnant has given birth to a beautiful baby boy.

Samuel Zion was born at the Royal Bolton Hospital yesterday, just before 4am, weighing a healthy 8lb 3oz.

His mum Paula was a patient at the hospital when she was pregnant, after being admitted with Covid-19, as she was seriously unwell.

Paula was so poorly she was intubated, but the medics on the critical care unit helped her recover well and she was allowed to go home and enjoyed a healthy pregnancy.

Paula said: “I’m so pleased that the staff who cared for me on critical care have been able to see a picture of our son, they looked after me so well. It makes me happy that I know it will make them happy.

“I know I was very poorly and I am thankful to them.”

Matron Claire Partridge, from their critical care unit, said: “On behalf of the critical care nursing team we are just so thrilled to hear the news and to see both Paula and baby looking so well.

“We wish Paula and her family all the very best and sincere congratulations. This news has really boosted the teams’ spirits.”

“All our congratulations to Paula and Samuel’s dad, Samuel, on their beautiful baby boy. We wish them all the very best and lots of joy in their future family life.”

Consultant Dr Sangeeta Das, from the maternity department, added: “While Paula was in intensive care we worked with them and our medical teams to ensure that her pregnancy continued safely.

“We were all so happy to help deliver Samuel safely.”

The hospital’s maternity service is recognised as a centre of excellence, providing care for over 6,000 women a year. Hospital chiefs say it offers stellar facilities, and staff pride themselves on the individual care and attention each woman and family receives, promoting a philosophy of normal and natural labour and childbirth.