Woman gives birth to twins minutes after a heart attack

In a rare medical occurrence, a 38-year-old British woman has given birth to two healthy twins just minutes after suffering a heart attack.

Nina Whear was given just a seven per cent chance of survival by doctors at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, and a chaplain was even sent in to comfort her in her last moments as her husband said "goodbye" to her.

But Whear defied the odds and gave birth to Evie and Alfie by Caesarean Section, then had a successful open heart surgery and went on to make a full recovery, leading newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported.

"I remember them bringing Andy through and we're left alone to say our goodbyes. I was very calm because I thought if I was going to die I wanted to do it calmly.

"When I woke up after the operation I couldn't talk, but I tried to signal to the nurse to say that I couldn't believe I was alive, although I don't think she understood what I meant.

"I was so shocked that I didn't even think about the fact I had just had twins, I was just amazed to be alive," she was quoted as saying.

Whear, who works for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, suffered the massive heart attack at her home in Lamas, near Norwich, the day she was due to give birth for the first time.