Mother’s Day miracle: Qld woman’s heart stopped beating for 20 minutes during childbirth

A woman who was told she should never have children due to a rare heart defect gave birth to a miracle baby in Brisbane, then she stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest.

Caroline Eckert de Campos and baby Antonia Eckert Addati after their miracle ordeal to give birth. Picture: Annette Dew

It is a miracle Caroline Eckert is alive, even more so that she is preparing to spend her first Mother’s Day with baby Antonia in her arms.

Just 12 hours after giving birth to her daughter Antonia earlier this year, Mrs Eckert stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest.

Her heart would not beat again on its own for an extraordinary 20 minutes before she was resuscitated.

“The moment I started coughing, I knew something was off,” Mrs Eckert said.

“That was the moment that I asked my husband to call the nurses, because I knew something was not right. And that’s the last thing that I remember.”

Mrs Eckert, 35, has lived with a pacemaker since she was just two-years-old after being diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) soon after she was born in her native Brazil.

The heart defect occurs when the aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed, inhibiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body and oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.

After suffering cardiac issues in Germany, where she met now husband Luke Addati, she was told she should never have children. Her condition meant that either she or her baby may not survive a pregnancy and childbirth.

But, after carefully considering other options to become parents like adoption or surrogacy, the Logan couple decided to try for the baby they both desperately wanted.

Carol Eckert and Luke Addati with little Antonia. Picture: Annette Dew

The couple consulted Mater specialists after learning that a Queensland woman with TGA had previously given birth at Mater Mothers’.

“We met a cardiologist that specialised in cases like mine, one that made us believe that it would be possible to have our biological kid,” Mrs Eckert said.

“It was never the point to bring a child into the world without a mother.

“We did everything that was under our control to have a safe pregnancy - what happened was exactly what was outside of our control.”

Mrs Eckert kept fit and active throughout her pregnancy under the close watch of three doctors and had no complications, not even any morning sickness.

“Caroline was just constantly proving that her heart was a lot stronger than everyone had anticipated,” Mr Addati said.

Caroline and baby Antonia from when she was recovering in the ICU. Picture Supplied

“She always proves to everyone just how strong she is and how much of a beautiful woman she is.

“This is just another one of those amazing goals that she achieves for herself and for us as a family.”

Mrs Eckert described her daughter Antonia’s arrival on January 30 at 38 weeks and four days via caesarean section as “incredible”.

“I think when she arrived, it was just the final feeling that everything worked perfectly,” she said.

“Everyone in the caesarean theatre, they were all celebrating with us.

“It was just beautiful.”

For Mr Addati, seeing his daughter for the first time was a “sense of euphoria”.

Logan mum Carol Eckert with her little miracle baby Antonia Eckert Addati. Picture: Annette Dew

But the feeling would last only 12 hours as his wife started struggling to breathe.

“I think I had a huge, sudden, realisation that ‘Oh, my God, the worst is about to happen’,” he said.

“That moment was horrible.

“I was definitely in shock.

“I remember very, very vividly, when I saw things were turning to the worst … I told Caroline, I love her and then Caroline, being the amazing woman that she is, said, ‘don’t worry, Luke, I’ll get through this’, and then she passed out.”

When Mrs Eckert was revived and stabilised, Mr Addati said he grabbed his wife’s hand and told her: “I love you, and I know you’re going to get through this like you always do”.

Ms Eckert was at the Mater for 15 days. Picture: Richard Walker

Mrs Eckert was placed into an induced coma and Mr Addati was told to prepare for the worst but to have hope.

In the three days Mrs Eckert remained unconscious, Mr Addati was forced to make the heartbreaking first journey home with Antonia but without his wife.

“I think everyone dreams of that moment when you jump in the car, you pick up your wife, put your kid in the car seat, and the first time you drive home,” he said.

“It was definitely a sad moment.”

The pair were back at Mrs Eckert’s bedside everyday of the 15 days she was in hospital during her remarkable recovery that included 12 days in the Mater Hospital Brisbane Intensive Care Unit.

“It’s a miracle, not just the fact that I am alive, but the fact that I had no consequences,” Mrs Eckert said.

“They were preparing us for brain damage, or even that some organs in my body wouldn’t work anymore.

“I went through dialysis for a month because my kidney was not well. But that was it.

“I’m now back to normal life. That’s incredible.”

Mr Addati said the moment the new family of three were able to go home together was very emotional.

“It was a beautiful moment for us. We all just hugged and cried,” he said.

“The fact that we went through all this and here we are living a completely normal life, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Mater’s Clinical Director of Obstetric Medicine Dr Jo Laurie.

Mater’s Clinical Director of Obstetrics Medicine Associate Professor Jo Laurie, who specialises in high risk pregnancies, said Caroline’s birth while having TGA was one of only two she had assisted with in the past five years.

“We counsel women like Caroline very clearly about what the risks are and we work with them and their partners to make a decision they are comfortable with,” A/Prof Laurie said.

“Caroline’s worked really hard in the pregnancy to maintain her well being, to stay fit, and since this very dramatic event, she’s worked really hard to recover.

“It is a miracle, but it’s also testament to resilience and her grit in getting herself back from a very significant illness.”

As for how the family will celebrate their first Mother’s Day today, Mrs Eckert has no idea, her husband is keeping everything a surprise.

But with the three of them healthy and happy together she said: “I think it cannot get more special.”

“When I look at Antonia I cry,” she said.

“I cannot imagine not being here to be her mum. I didn’t bring her into this world to leave her alone.

“Everything has been worth it to have our baby girl – but there will be no more babies now.

“We would love to adopt another child, but that will be another journey.”

Originally published as Mother’s Day miracle: Qld woman’s heart stopped beating for 20 minutes during childbirth