Zack and Autumn Carver had their third child in 2021, a moment of pure joy. Little did they know, their son’s birth would be accompanied by immense pain and uncertainty. Autumn, a mother from Indiana who contracted COVID-19, underwent an emergency c-section and spent over seven weeks in the hospital before finally being able to hold her baby boy. This heartwarming story captured headlines and touched the hearts of many.
On October 19, 2021, Autumn Carver, 34, held her baby Huxley for the first time. Huxley was born prematurely via emergency c-section at 33 weeks’ gestation. Both Autumn and her husband Zach, who had also tested positive for COVID-19, were recovering from the virus. Zach had a fever, but Autumn’s lung problems were severe enough to require her to be put on a ventilator.
Autumn was airlifted to Methodist Hospital, where she gave birth to Huxley, their first son and third child. While baby Huxley spent ten days in the hospital, Autumn was placed on life support.
But Autumn fought bravely. Over two months later, she was finally able to hold her precious child in her arms.
“It was an incredibly emotional moment for all of us,” said Zach Carver, Autumn’s husband, in an interview with Good Morning America. “Autumn is fighting so hard to come home to our kids, and that’s what keeps her going.”
Zach described Autumn as the kindest and most loving person he knows, someone who brings happiness to everyone around her.
“At 3 pm today, she met our son, and it was an indescribable moment,” Zach shared. “Her parents, one of her best friends, and several nurses and doctors witnessed this special moment. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Later in the afternoon, I got to hear Autumn say ‘I love you, Zach.’ It was an amazing day.”
While there is still a long road ahead, Autumn’s progress is astounding. She has been transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and may require a lung transplant in the future due to the damage caused by COVID-19.
On November 17, Zach provided an update on Autumn’s condition. “She is getting stronger,” he said. “She can now walk around our room without a walker more and more. We went from thinking she wouldn’t make it, to her potentially needing a lung transplant, and now she’s on her way home. It’s truly a miracle.”
This miraculous story is a testament to the strength and resilience of this incredible mother. We are grateful that she is recovering and will be there for her children.
