A MOTHER who came close to death after contracting flu while pregnant has told how she had visions of her newborn baby growing up without her.

Lynsey Lane said she had even thought through giving husband William permission to find a new mother for their daughter Sarah as she fought for her life in hospital.

Mrs Lane and her baby became gravely ill after she developed the virus last December. She was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital and, after emergency treatment, both made a full recovery. .

The student nurse recounted her ordeal at the launch of a new campaign to encourage vulnerable people, including pregnant women, to get the flu vaccine.

She said: “On Boxing Day last year I was 32 weeks pregnant and I became very ill but, to be honest, at first I didn’t really realise how serious it was. Even when I was in hospital I didn’t realise.

“But I had been doing my nursing training and when the Heart Emergency Centre team arrived, I knew then it was serious.

“I became numb, I was too ill to feel anything. All I wanted was my baby alive. I just wanted her to be okay.”

Mrs Lane, 29, from Lanark, received an emergency caesarean section on January 2 and, while Sarah made a steady recovery, she continued to struggle in the days that followed.

The mother-of-three said she could not bond with her child as she believed she was going to die.

She continued: “The nurses put pictures of Sarah at the bottom of my bed to try to encourage me to pull through, but I was convinced I was going to die. I didn’t want to make a connection with her.

“I already had visions of my partner with a new mum for the kids. In my head I had already given him permission to move on without me.

“But the nurses were phenomenal. They really helped me to pull through and I cannot thank them enough. Without their help, positivity and encouragement it might have a different story today. Now I just love being a mum. All my children are special and I love them all, but Sarah and I have an extra-special bond. She’s such a happy contented baby.”

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon joined Mrs Lane to launch the seasonal flu campaign at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The MSP claimed the mum was a “perfect example” of the risks the virus can pose during pregnancy.

She said: “It is important pregnant women come forward for the jag. We know they are more likely to suffer serious complications if they catch flu because of changes to their immune system.

“So if you’re pregnant, protect yourself and your baby from flu by getting the jag. The vaccine is safe and effective and midwives across the country will be working to ensure all pregnant women know about the dangers of flu and go to their GP to get vaccinated.”

She also called on other vulnerable people – including the elderly, those with medical conditions and frontline NHS staff – to get the vaccine following last year’s flu epidemic, when 63 people died in hospital from the virus.

Mrs Lane also encouraged pregnant women to get the flu vaccination.

She said: “Women who are pregnant need to get the flu vaccination as soon as possible. There should be no excuse. Please don’t go through what I did.

“For the sake of a five-second jab, it could save your life and the life of your child.”

The mother, her husband and their other two children Luci Anne, eight, and Gregor, six, are now planning a big party to celebrate Sarah’s first birthday in January.