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Doctors have delivered a baby girl two days after her mother, a former ice skating champion, collapsed from a fatal brain haemorrhage.
Jayne Soliman was declared brain-dead but doctors managed to keep her heart beating until they had delivered her daughter, Aya Jayne, by Caesarean section.
Mrs Soliman, 41, was only 25 weeks pregnant when she collapsed in her bedroom at home in Bracknell, Berkshire, having gone to bed complaining of a headache. She was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, but was pronounced brain-dead hours later, on Wednesday evening. Doctors said that she had suffered a haemorrhage caused by an aggressive tumour.
Mrs Soliman was given huge doses of steroids to help the unborn child’s lungs to develop. Two days later, Aya was born, weighing less than 2 lb 2 oz (about 1kg). She was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where she remained last night.
David Phillips, 48, a close friend and fellow skater who was with Mrs Soliman at the hospital, said that her husband, Mahmoud Soliman, had had “the best and the worst day of his life”.
“It’s just something you can’t conceive – turning off your wife’s life-support machine and then going to see your newborn daughter.”
Mr Phillips’s wife, Lucine, 38, who was present at the delivery of Aya, said: “A midwife picked tiny Aya up and put her little face up to Jayne’s. It was just like welcoming any new baby into the world . . . but we also had to say goodbye to Jayne.”
Mr Soliman was unable to hold Aya immediately because she was in intensive care, Mrs Phillips said, but he was given a photograph of her: “I could tell from his face that he was overcome with emotion.”
Mahmoud Soliman said that his daughter had been named Aya after the Muslim word for miracle. “That is the name Jayne took when she became a Muslim and our daughter is also a miracle so I named her after her mum,” he said.
“She is so tiny, but she is a little fighter just like her mother.”
As Jayne Campbell, Mrs Soliman competed in numerous international skating galas during the 1980s. In 1989 she was the British professional champion as well as the No 7 in the world for professional free skating. She remained involved in the sport, moving to teach figure skating in Dubai, where she met her husband.
More than 300 mourners attended her funeral at the Jamia Masjid mosque in Reading on Saturday.
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What a bittersweet story! Your wife was beautiful and you will see her everyday in little Aya. I hope your lives can go on to be full of happiness in knowing that Jayne is watching over you both! You will all meet again, that you can be certain. God bless you all!
Tara, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
Jayne, you will always be remembered, and thank you for your great help at the ice rink. I hope baby Aya has a wonderful life, and is just as wonderful as her mother.
Amy, Withheld,
Blessings to you and your daughter. Children are a special gift and may the light of Jane's love shine through your daughter;s eyes.
Jane, Ashby de la Zouch, England
ok Ben from Portland ..that's not the point ..this is a terible tragedy and a miracle for this poor man.
my heart goes out to everyone involved ..family and friends, husband and child
Dana, Augusta, Ga, USA
Is "Aya" the Muslim word for "miracle, or the Arabic word!? I wasn't aware that "Muslim" was a language.
Ben, Portland, Oregon, USA
So sorry for such a sudden tragic loss of your wife. I hope your daughter will be a very special young lady, and every now and then you see your lovely wife reflected in her and i am sure you will. I hope Aya will be strong and healthy. Children are such a precious gift.
margot Mitchell, Houston, united States
I have been a fan of figure skating for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with Jane and her family. God Bless Aya her beautiful daughter.
Barbara, NY USA
Barbara, New York, USA
Alhamdolilah......Allah gave a perfect gift.... My thoughts are with you and your daughter.
D., USA, USA
My heart goes out to Mr. Soliman. He is now a widower , but he is also blessed by the safe arrival of his beautiful daughter. May they both live long healthy lives.
Phyllis Gelman, Holbrook,MA, U.S.A.
I am happy to hear that the baby is doing well, all the best to you.
marjorie lawrence, pembroke pines, united states
WOW!!! I don't even know where to start. Mr. Soliman I will have you in my prayers. May you and your litle "Miracle" Angel live a wonderfull and joyfull life. Always remind her of how great her mother was.
GOD be with you.
Alex, Miami Florida, USA
My son was delivered at 25 weeks at 1 pound and 10 ounces and he is now a 5 years old healthy and happy boy. God bless her and her father.
SUSAN MAURO, laurel, usa
Mr. Soliman,
My sincere sympathies to you on the loss of your wife, Jayne, and congratulations to you on the blessed birth of your daughter, Aya. She is truly a miracle. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Aya. Aya will always have her mom watching over her from above. God Bless You!
Jennifer, Patoka, IN, USA
God bless you both. I pray for a lifetime of happiness for you both have had enough sorrow.
Laura, Kansas, USA
Glad to hear Aya is doing well.
Blythe Crawley, Conshohocken , Pa
Mr. Soliman my prayers are with you and younew blessing as I read this story it bought tears to my eyes, saying bye to your wife and hello to your new daughter is a hard break itself. The memories that you and your wife shared together is something you can talk to your daughter about. God Bless you
Janice, St. Petersburg, US
WOW..She is a hero, she stayed on long enough to give the world this gift. I hope that their mourning turns into joy because of this "miracle".
cookie, davie, usa
Blessing to this baby!
amward, Milwaukee, US
This family will be in my prayers today. My very best wishes for this father and his daughter, whom I'm sure, will bring him a life full of joy and happiness. I have no doubt that Aya will have a wonderful life with her mother always looking over and protecting her. God Bless.
Laura, Charles Town, WV, USA
Mr Soliman our prayers are with you as you journey on the long road with your daughter and God be with you as say goodbye to your wife. She sounded like a strong, extraordinary woman. Our son was also born premature, but today is strong and healthy.
Stacy, North Caroina , USA
Little Aya will always have a gurdian angel watching over her.
Marie Hansen, FLUSHING NY, USA
I have prayed that God will be with you both.
Noel, Huntington, Wv, USA
Little Aya's survival is a miracle at 25 weeks and 2lbs 2oz and a testament to the wonderful medical care she must have received from the staff at Royal Berkshire.
I hope and pray she has a long and happy life.
John, Edinburgh, UK
A very moving story, I wish father and daughter a life filled with happiness, for they have both had enough sorrow.
shari, staten island, usa