S4. Ep2. Against all Odds. Surviving and thriving after a rare diagnosis in pregnancy.

When school teacher Laura began experiencing unusual symptoms during her third trimester, it was initially thought they might be related to pregnancy. But at 34 weeks, Laura’s symptoms dramatically worsened. At a visit to the hospital, Laura suddenly stopped breathing, and required intubation. Unexpectedly, brain scans revealed a large tumour, putting huge pressure on her brain as it grew during pregnancy. After watching Laura being wheeled away, her husband Torben was later informed that Laura would need urgent neurosurgery and that her condition was critical. At the same time he was told that an emergency caesarean had been required to stabilise Laura, and that he had a son. For the next five days Torben sat alternatively by Laura’s side in ICU, and his son’s side in NICU, not knowing if he would be raising his child alone. Against the odds, Laura awoke from her coma to meet her baby Jagger. First time mum Laura then faced months of recovery and rehabilitation, learning how to speak and to walk again, at the same time as learning to be a new parent. Thank you Laura and Torben for sharing your incredible story of parenting with an acquired brain injury, filled with strength, acceptance and resilience.