Some experts argue that the relationship between parents and children can begin before birth. They claim that such “antenatal bonding” – feeling connected to the unborn baby – is an important predictor of the infant-mother relationship.  They say it’s impossible to fully understand the bond a mother has with her child, unless you’re a mom and have been through it. But every so often something so powerful happens that outsiders can’t help but take notice of this amazing love.

According to her husband, the unfortunate woman, SheIIy, had to be put to sleep for an emergency C-section to deliver her baby. Baby RyIan, a healthy girl, was delivered, but during the procedure a blood clot broke loose and the mother fell into a coma. Doctors tried everything to wake her, but after a full week SheIIy was still on ventilators and her prognosis was grim. Then, one of the nurses had an idea — they would try bringing baby RyIan in and putting her with her mother.

“We knew skin to skin contact is very beneficial to an infant, so we thought, why not try it for a mom,” nurse Ashley told NBC News. “Because the baby [was] already thriving; she was doing great.” Hospital staff and SheIIy’s husband, Jeremy, placed the baby on her mother and made the infant cry. The crying, doctor’s say, created a spike in SheIIy’s vital signs, per reports. The spike in her vitals helped to stabilize her, and a few days later she came out of the coma.

“They think me hearing her gave my body and my subconscious a reason to fight, I knew that I still needed to be there for my baby,” SheIIy said. “I’m still here because of her and I just can’t wait to tell her that.” Several months ago, SheIIy and her family celebrated Baby Rylan’s first birthday and the one-year anniversary of her coming out of the coma.