CINCINNATI, Ohio— While the coronavirus has been responsible for tens-of-thousands of deaths across the country, one Ohio family will remember these times for the new life they were given— literally.
- Kappers was 31 weeks pregnant when she tested positive for COVID-19
- Kappers' symptoms progressed quickly and soon after she was admitted to the hospital, she was placed on a ventilator
- Kappers delivered her son eight weeks early
- Kappers and her new son Laith are now home and healthy
What You Need To Know
Alicia Kappers is a real-life super mom. A mother to two boys— the newest addition coming in the most unexpected way.
"I think they were worried about my emotional state," Kappers said. "Like Oh my gosh, the last thing I remember I was pregnant. Like what happened to me? Is my baby okay? But they kept reassuring me, I think, before I could even comprehend fully that he was okay.”
That's because Kappers gave birth to her son Laith 8 weeks early while on a ventilator— a week after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
"They were actually starting to consider delivering the baby because, I don’t wanna sugar coat it, they didn’t know if she was gonna make it or not," Ziad Razzak, Kappers husband said.
Razzak says the diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise after he believes both he and their four-year-old son had it. But, he says Kappers symptoms became serious quickly.
“Within eight hours, she went from walking into the ER door to being on a ventilator," Razzak said.
Thankfully, Kappers was able to be stabilized and they were able to wait a week before delivering Laith. Kappers says she doesn’t remember much of the delivery besides what her nurses shared.
“When I delivered my son after he was born and I heard his cry, I guess the nurses told me I had smiled and then a big tear ran down my eye," she said. "So even though I was on a ventilator and sedated, I still had that emotional reaction.”
Kappers was on the ventilator for more than 30 days and has now been home two weeks. She says she’s especially thankful for her parents and husband as they help take care of the new baby while she recovers.
"There's the mother’s guilt," Kappers said. "I can’t help in the middle of the night still. I can’t pick him up. I can hold him, but I just question my strength and ability to pick him up and I don’t want to jeopardize him. So I’m still recovering myself, so I’m not as able to be as helpful as I would like to be."
The couple says they are grateful for the nurses and doctors at TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital for not only taking care of Kappers, but also keeping the family in the loop.
"Given the circumstances, we could not have asked for anything better, from them making all the right calls and just being so human," Razzak said.
And her husband is happy to have his wife and supermom to his two boys back at home where she belongs.
"We're blessed and it’s a miracle," Razzak said. "But she’s resilient and has always been."