This Morning presenter Cat Deeley was visibly emotional on Monday as Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho shared the harrowing details of her near-death experience after childbirth. The MP described being placed in an induced coma following a rare condition that led to multiple organ failure.
During the interview, co-host Ben Shephard introduced the segment, noting that Coutinho faced an ordeal 'no mother should ever have to experience'. Deeley then detailed how complications from the birth left the MP's son unable to breathe and Coutinho herself fighting for her life in a coma.
Coutinho explained that while her pregnancy progressed normally, she developed difficulty eating towards the end, which she attributed to acid reflux. After the birth of her son Rafa via caesarean section, the newborn was rushed away because he was 'blue and limp'. Her husband Adam recalled the tense 15-minute wait before Rafa was stable.
Shortly after, Coutinho became 'very sick' with vomiting, swelling and blurred vision. She was diagnosed with acute fatty liver of pregnancy, a rare condition that led to an induced coma. 'I was essentially going into multiple organ failure,' she said. Adam revealed he was told to prepare for the worst and a will was drawn up.
Fortunately, Coutinho began to recover and described being reunited with her son as 'heaven'. She added: 'He is gorgeous. It's a very happy ending; we are all well.' Deeley fought back tears throughout the emotional segment.
