A POOLE mother has thanked the maternity unit at Poole Hospital for saving the lives of her and her baby daughter after contracting coronavirus during the latter stages of her pregnancy.

Rachel Murphy from West Moors was in danger of losing her unborn child after being hospitalised with Covid-19 in February while she was 32 weeks pregnant.

Following a visit to the maternity unit at Poole Hospital on February 6, her condition worsened over the weekend and was admitted A&E.

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She was then admitted to Poole Maternity on Wednesday February 10.

Having spent eight days in Poole Maternity, with three of those being spent in Intensive Care in Poole Hospital, she was discharged and later gave birth to her daughter, Matilda Grace Yeandle, on March 31.

As doctors said that Rachel’s daughter may have contracted the virus from her mother, the pair are now taking part in Covid research to help create a paediatric vaccine at Poole Hospital, with Matilda being the first baby to be taking part in the research programme.

Following her ordeal, Rachel now aims to raise awareness among pregnant woman to be vigilant in not contracting the virus and is also taking part in a fundraiser to raise money for the maternity unit at Poole Hospital by way of a thank you.