I gave birth WITHOUT KNOWING

Ciara Murray, 42, woke up as a mum to a 10-day-old baby.

- JOHANNA BELL

When you fall pregnant for the first time, the thought of giving birth can be daunting. Yet it's also a magical time for a new mum, and an experience that's anticipated, even if it is with some worry about the unknown. That's how I felt when I was expecting James. Only then I gave birth without even knowing – and it almost killed me and my baby.

I'd enjoyed a smooth-sailing pregnancy with no sickness, but at 36.5 weeks, in October 2015, I got a wave of nausea one morning. I'd heard of morning sickness early on in pregnancy before, but not in the last few weeks. My husband John was out at his job as a builder, and I figured a nap would make me feel better. Only, as I reached the bedroom, my head started spinning and I collapsed. I tried to get up, but I couldn't even move my head. My heart pounded with fear. All I could think about was my baby, and I somehow managed to place my hand on my bump protectively. But it was like my body was paralysed, and I could only move my eyes.

I was completely helpless, alone, with John not due home for hours. I kept telling myself he'd be back soon, as I lay sprawled on the bedroom carpet. I was so worried about my precious baby, who I hadn't felt moving since I'd collapsed. I must have drifted in and out of consciousness, because finally, around seven hours later, I heard John's key in the front door.