NC family pleads for pregnant women to get vaccinated after mother, child die from COVID after birth

Baker was pregnant with twins when she contracted COVID-19. She was also a mother to her 4-year-old Julian, but Baker and one of her twins passed away shortly after she gave birth.

"We just held on to every little hope, because you never give up hope," Baker's mother, Debbie, said.

Baker wasn't vaccinated, and her parents said they talked to her about it, but she was too afraid the vaccine would have a negative impact on her and the babies.

"I've read the news, and I hear it on TV about how serious COVID-19 is with pregnant women, and it could be fatal," Debbie said. "I always thought 'oh, I hope Stephanie is going to be OK.'"

"And then your worst fear comes true, and I thought, it's real, everything you read, it's not something to take lightly," she added.

Baker was a beloved member of the Brunswick County Animal Hospital.

She was in school to become a registered veterinary technician.

Her parents hope by sharing Baker's story, they can prevent other unvaccinated women from losing their lives.

"I urge all pregnant women to get vaccinated, please get vaccinated, because it possibly could save your life," Debbie said. "Maybe you wouldn't be as sick ,and you would recover, hopefully, because it is devastating."