Mum, 37, left in coma and unable to hold newborn baby three weeks after giving birth

Charlotte Coulbert, 37 had a stroke at home and was rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital where she was placed in a coma for 10 days, and when she woke was unable to hold little Verity

A mum was left in a coma weeks after she gave birth, which left her paralysed on one side and unable to hold her baby daughter.

Charlotte Coulbert, 37, suddenly collapsed while watching television with her family and, on the way to hospital, had a stroke owing to a blood clot blocking her brain's blood supply. When she arrived at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, she was put in an induced coma and woke up 10 days later.

Charlotte had paralysis on her right side and aphasia, a communication disorder which impacts memory. It also meant she was unable to support her infant daughter, Verity.

She said: “It was heartbreaking, really, as a mother, not being able to support your newborn. When I woke up and could just see Verity, it was surreal, she'd grown even in that time.

“I attempted to feed her with a bottle, but I was so weak I couldn't really do it. It was very difficult for me, strange - I couldn't believe it really happened; I was still in shock.'

“I feel like I was a burden, my husband had to do everything. He had to source a nanny because he couldn't look after all three kids and work, and pay for that, so it's been very tough. Now I can help a little bit, I can cook basic meals, load the dishwasher, and do some washing.

“I'm slowly getting back into family life, but it's so hard because I went from being a mummy doing the school run to not being able to do it all of a sudden.”

Charlotte spent six weeks in the acute stroke ward at Royal Stoke University Hospital after her stroke in June 2022, and another six in a rehabilitation unit, where she focused on rebuilding strength through arm exercises and weekly speech therapy sessions. She also struggled with swallowing and was tube-fed until she could gradually be reintroduced to solid foods under supervision.

By September 2022, Charlotte returned home, though she had to sleep downstairs and could barely walk. Over time, her mobility has improved and now does aqua therapy, goes to the gym multiple times a week, and uses a walking stick.

In February this year she had a patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure to close the hole in her heart and reduce the risk of her having another stroke. Throughout her recovery, Charlotte has remained employed as a sales representative and is eager to return to work to support her family.

Charlotte is very grateful for her husband's support throughout her recovery - as an ex-Royal Marine who lost his right leg in Afghanistan in 2012, he understood what it was like to go through a traumatic experience.

She added: “He stood on a detonation device and lost his leg, he has helped me overcome these challenges and reassured me that it does get better. I have good and bad days.

“Looking back, when I was in hospital, I was depressed and didn't care who came to see me, it was so hard mentally. I think in life you just have to do what makes you happy.

“I think people also need to be more aware of the signs of a stroke and understand it does not just happen to elderly people.''