Mother meets her son for the first time seven days after he was born

This is the emotional moment a mother met her baby for the first time – seven days after she went into septic shock during labour.

Emilie Gentry, 28, an executive assistant, from Lynnwood, Washington, almost died after contracting bacterial infection chorioamnionitis, which impacts the membranes of the uterus and the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.

She was forced to undergo an emergency c-section at 39 weeks when her blood pressure dropped to a dangerous level and doctors could not detect baby EJ’s heartbeat.

Emilie, who first saw her son on FaceTime after she came around from surgery, called their first meeting ‘the most powerful moment of my life.’

Emilie had also developed a high fever which indicated she was battling an infection.

This was confirmed during surgery when doctors discovered her womb had started filling with pus, and her lungs, kidneys and liver were in the early stages of failure.

Emilie’s surgeon at Providence Hospital delivered her son Edward Jack (EJ) on 24 August 2016, but the mother said she was terrified when she did not hear him cry.

A team of doctors worked on baby EJ for six minutes until his heart started to beat and he was immediately rushed by ambulance to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Emilie’s surgeon at Providence Hospital delivered her son Edward Jack (EJ) on 24 August 2016, but the mother said she was terrified when she did not hear him cry 

Emilie (pictured with Stepson Hank, nine, and fiance Billy, 30) contracted a bacterial infection called chorioamnionitis

Emilie did not meet her son before she was rushed to the ICU in critical condition as doctors worked to contain her infection.

The mother received two blood transfusions and was placed on dialysis which purified her blood and prevented the further spread of her infection, allowing her to heal.

Seven days after her traumatic labour, EJ was discharged from the NICU and Emilie held her son in her arms for the first time.

She said: ‘On August 31, Billy walked into my hospital room carrying this little bundle.

‘It was so overwhelming, it was the most powerful moment of my life when I finally got to meet my baby.

‘When he was put into my arms he immediately cuddled into me. He was like ‘This is my mom’.’

Emilie saw baby EJ for the first time 24 hours after giving birth on FaceTime thanks to her sales manager fiancé Billy, 39, who travelled more than 60 miles a day between hospitals.

Emilie continued: ‘The first time I saw my baby was on FaceTime. It was such an emotional thing.

EJ’s hospital was miles away so dad Billy was traveling 60 miles a day to be with them both

She called the meeting ‘the most powerful moment of [her] life’ after they were kept apart for so long

‘I remember seeing his cute little face and I just knew I had to talk to him. As soon as he heard my voice I could tell he recognised it. He gave the cutest little smile.

‘It was so, so hard. Your baby has spent the last nine months inside you, and then so violently he’s ripped out of you.

‘I couldn’t bear the idea that he was hurting in another hospital. It was heart-wrenching. I didn’t meet him until he was seven days old.’

Emilie was discharged from hospital the next day but struggled to bond with baby EJ and would regularly have nightmares about her time in hospital.

They first time Emilie saw her son was on FaceTime after she came around from surgery

The experience left Emilie with post-traumatic stress disorder and post-partum depression

Emilie was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and post-partum depression, but a combination of medication, therapy and family support groups have seen her mental health improve.

Emilie said: ‘In the months after I would wake up screaming. My nightmares were so bad. I was diagnosed with PTSD and I struggled to bond with my baby.

‘It was very traumatic but I’m in a good place now.’

Emilie feels grateful that her experience has not left her with long-term health problems but she struggles with the idea she will not have any more children.

Frightened by the experience, the couple agreed that Billy would have a vasectomy, a procedure which will prevent Emilie from falling pregnant in the future.

The couple agreed that Billy would have a vasectomy after the birth left Emilie traumatised

EJ, now two, is thriving despite some expected developmental delays and concerns that the experience would damage his health

Emilie said: ‘I’m very lucky that there has been no long-term damage to my health.

‘My doctor said my case was the closest thing to a maternal death she’s experienced in 20 years.

‘There wasn’t any long-term damage to my uterus but my husband decided to get a vasectomy. He said he couldn’t lose me or go through that again.

‘Emotionally that’s been very hard for me.’

Emilie, who is also step-mother to Billy’s son Hank, nine, said she worried Billy would have serious health concerns after he was deprived of oxygen during birth.

Emilie and Billy are getting married later this month and both of their sons will be in their wedding

However, the two-year-old is thriving despite some expected developmental delays.

‘It did take EJ a little bit longer to roll over but once he did he was crawling and running quite quickly.

‘He has a slight speech delay, but we think he’s a really smart boy. He’s so amazing. He’s very laid back, he’s funny.

‘He’s so loving, he’s always giving mommy and daddy kisses. Hank and EJ are best buddies.

‘EJ loves to dance whenever you put on music.’

Emilie is set to walk down the aisle to marry Billy on July 22, where Hank will act as best man and EJ as ring bearer.

She said: ‘I can’t wait. I’m so excited to marry Billy. I would never have gotten through this without him.’