Pregnant mother performs 15-minute CPR, saves husband who later meets newborn in coma

On an ordinary evening in April, Sam King experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, with his heart ceasing activity for roughly two hours. His wife, Emma King, who was 39 weeks pregnant, started CPR after a 999 call handler directed her, performing compressions for around 15 minutes until an ambulance reached the home. Emergency crews continued resuscitation efforts, eventually stabilizing him enough for transport to Southampton General Hospital and later to a London facility, where doctors described him as one of the country’s sickest patients.

Three days later, Emma went into labor, delivering their daughter Sophie in the same hospital where Sam was being treated. A midwife presented the newborn to Sam, whose eyes were open but unresponsive, creating an emotional encounter. Sam has since recovered, received a defibrillator implant, and returned to light sport, while doctors investigate the cause of his arrest through monitoring and genetic testing.