Flu mum Sarah Hawthorn doesn’t know she gave birth as she fights for life

A FIT and healthy young Victorian mum is in an induced coma, fighting for life, after contracting the flu while pregnant, with the 33-year-old not knowing she has given birth to a beautiful boy.

Sarah Hawthorn, 33, is fighting for life in hospital after getting the flu.

A FIT and healthy young mum is in an induced coma, fighting for life, after contracting the flu while pregnant.

Sarah Hawthorn, 33, does not know that she has given birth to a beautiful boy.

Sarah’s son was delivered five weeks premature during an emergency birth last month, and her worried husband, Robert, is maintaining a bedside vigil at The Alfred hospital.

Victoria is battling one of its worst flu seasons; so far, more than 13,000 cases have been confirmed, and in just over a month at least 10 people have died from flu complications.

They include an eight-year-old girl, Rosie, whose family described her as an “angel”.

Authorities are now urging those who haven’t had a flu shot to get one, even though it is late in the season. And they advise people to be vigilant about washing their hands, to avoid spreading the virus.

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Young mum Sarah Hawthorn, 33, from Cobram, is fighting for life in hospital after getting the flu.

Sarah’s sister-in-law, Rachael Holt, said the family was worried, saying on a fundraising page: “Sarah remains in an induced coma, fighting for her life, unaware that she has given birth to the most perfect little baby boy.

“At present she is fully machine-supported and literally fighting for her life. The joy of the arrival of her precious baby (is) tinged with sadness as we continue to hope and pray for the best possible outcome.”

The Cobram woman initially went to her local doctor, but her family says she was sent home several times.

She spent eight days seeking medical help but was sent home from the Yarrawonga hospital and told to see a GP, it has been claimed.

On August 28, she went by ambulance to hospital, where her son was delivered in an emergency birth.

Doctors at The Alfred Hospital have confirmed that she had contracted influenza A and pneumonia, and other complications.

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Sarah Hawthorn with a calf she raised.

Mr Hawthorn, who owns a small business in Cobram, had been courageous, his sister said.

“I am in awe of his strength, his courage and his outlook, despite the situation he is facing,” she said.

Sarah is a prominent member of the Cobram Campdrafting Club, often volunteering as an announcer.

In the sport, a horse rider “cuts out”, or leads a cow around a course and through a gate in 40 seconds.

The club has been devastated by her illness, writing on its Facebook page: “Please help support one of our own. Sarah is a very highly valued member of the Cobram Campdraft Committee. “This amazing girl and her husband Rob go above and beyond to help our club and our sport out every year, in any way they can.”

Sarah Hawthorn’s campdrafting club says she goes “above and beyond” to help. Picture: Supplied

Victoria’s Better Health Channel warns that pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from the flu.

“In some cases of the flu, severe illness and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can develop, which can result in hospitalisation and even death. The flu can also make some existing medical conditions worse,” it warns.

A fundraising page created to help meet Sarah and her family’s financial needs, such as travel, accommodation and ongoing medical expenses reach its goal of $20,000 this morning.

As of 12.30pm $20,855 has been raised for Sarah.

The family has outlined its wish for messages of support to Sarah and her family be sent privately via Sending Sarah Love.

More: loveforsarahandrob.weebly.com

To donate: gofundme.com/fighting-for-bomber-hawk