Overview
- Rafael was delivered by caesarean at St Thomas’s on January 17 and did not breathe for about 15 minutes before being taken to the neonatal unit for two weeks.
- Within 48 hours, Coutinho developed acute fatty liver of pregnancy that progressed to multiple organ failure, requiring emergency surgery and a medically induced coma.
- She prepared for the possibility of dying by exploring an emergency marriage and drafting a will to secure parental rights for her partner.
- Coutinho praised clinicians for lifesaving care but criticised bureaucratic silos that made it difficult to see her baby in the neonatal unit.
- She married Adam Hawksbee in July, returned to full-time parliamentary work in September, and says Rafael is now meeting milestones such as dragging himself and clapping.