Nurse thanks colleagues for helping her and her newborn son to beat coronavirus

A nurse has thanked her colleagues for saving her life, and that of her new baby.

Rehma Semaganda, 48, and her boy Abdul Junior – who both contracted coronavirus – came home in May after a two-week life-and-death fight.

The mum-of-three, from Southampton Way, Camberwell, also has to thank a medical trial she was on, trying to find the best treatment for pregnant women with Covid-19.

Rehma had gone on maternity leave in mid-February from her role as a nurse at the same trust – Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

In April, after feeling unwell for more than a week, Rehma was told to go to St Thomas’ Hospital where she tested positive for coronavirus.

She gave birth to her son only six hours after being admitted to hospital.

She feared neither of them would ever see her family again.

Days later, Rehma took part in the Recovery trial, a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portfolio study led by the University of Oxford, using existing treatments for other disease, in a new combination for the virus,
The critical care nurse, who did not contract the virus at work, hopes her experience will help other women.

She said: “I was so scared for the baby. My thoughts on the way to the theatre were of my family. My husband was sitting at home as he wasn’t able to be with me.

“It was a terrifying experience. I had on an oxygen mask as I was struggling to breathe.

“Thankfully, Abdul was fine. I was just so happy that my baby was ok. He did test positive for the virus, but after two weeks we returned home and it was just pure joy.

“My husband, Abdul, who was self-isolating, was allowed a very quick peek.

“He had only seen photos of his son up until then. My older son and daughter loved seeing their brother on video call.

“I took part in the research because it is the only way to find out how this virus affects women during pregnancy, and I urge others to take part in clinical trials.

“I knew I was in safe hands. My care was outstanding and the clinicians and researchers are all heroes. My colleagues saved mine and my boy’s life.”
The Recovery trial, supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) South London, is open to all hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

Participants are randomly selected to receive one of the drugs being evaluated, or no additional treatment.

A second randomisation allows certain patients to be randomised to an anti-inflammatory treatment, or no additional treatment, and some patients are now receiving convalescent plasma collected from donors who have recovered from Covid-19.

Pictured top: Rehma Semaganda and baby Abdul