coronavirus new york city

Pregnant mother survives COVID, gives birth at Staten Island hospital

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Woman overcomes COVID, gives birth at NYC hospital

Kristin Pryzmocki was in an ICU at Richmond University Medical Center fighting for her life last fall, but now she's back after giving birth to a baby son Michael Jr.

STATEN ISLAND, New York (WABC) -- A young woman was in an ICU on Staten Island fighting for her life last fall, but now she's back after giving birth to a baby son.

"It was a scary time and then it ends up being just this miracle, to have this little baby who's just a little trooper," Kristin Pryzmocki said.

Kristin and Michael Pryzmocki didn't think they'd ever get to hold Michael Jr.

Not when Kristin, back in October, was admitted to the ICU at Richmond University Medical Center.

MORE NEWS | New Jersey man explains how newly rescued German shepherd helped save his life during stroke

When Brian Myers suffered a stroke in January and collapsed on the floor, his rescue dog Sadie was right there to help save his life.

She was critically ill with COVID and doctors almost put her on a ventilator.

"I remember the doctor saying we have two patients in one. It wasn't just they were caring for me, but they were also caring for little baby Michael," Kristin Pryzmocki said.

"They had a C-section machine in the room with her ready to take him at six months, it's crazy, it's scary, it's real. It's real that's for sure," Michael Pryzmocki said.

Kristin says that not knowing what was going to happen killed them inside.

But after 30 days of ups and downs, she finally got to go home in time for Thanksgiving.

On Thursday, they were back for a C-section, with a chance to finally meet their baby boy -- all 9 pounds, 2 ounces of him.

"Just overall happiness -- she's been through so much, she's stronger than me, I couldn't be through what she's been through," Michael Pryzmocki said. "I see a lotta friends on Facebook and stuff. They still don't believe it, think it's a hoax, it's crazy. But until someone, God forbid, in their family gets it, they'll realize it's not fake, it's as real as it gets."

But now, real joy after so much fear.

ALSO READ | Be Kind: Long Island coffee shop customers pay it forward with Post-it Notes

At Muni's Coffee Joint in Lindenhurst, customers can buy a cup of coffee for other customers and leave the order on a Post-it Note on a board in the shop.