Brighten Your Day

Mom dies, gives birth during emergency operation, and comes back to life

May 24, 2013

It's an incredible second chance for Erica Nigrelli, a Texas mother who died while giving birth and came back to life. It was a medical miracle.

Erica, an English teacher at Elkins High School, was in a co-worker's classroom when she suddenly collapsed. Her husband, Nathan, who also teaches at Elkins High, rushed to the classroom after hearing some commotion down the hallway.

"Apparently I told her I feel very faint. I put my head down and I essentially just passed out," Erica told KPRC.

"I opened the door and walked in. Erica was lying on the floor, she was foaming and making gurgling sounds and just staring up," said her husband.

Co-workers, including the school nurse, used CPR and a defibrillator to keep Erica alive until paramedics arrived. Erica was rushed to the hospital where doctors performed an emergency C-section one month early.

Erica delivered her baby post-mortem because technically her heart was not beating.

After spending a month in the ICU, Erica and her baby are both home and healthy. The co-workers who helped Erica survive were honored at a Missouri City council meeting.

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Full Story: KHOU.com | Click2Houston.com