US woman in two-month coma gives birth

A US woman in a coma since March has given birth to a healthy baby boy, despite fears he would not survive because of his mother's condition.

West Nathaniel Lande was born via caesarean on Thursday at the University of San Francisco Medical Centre in Fresno, California. He weighed in at 2.5kg.

His mother Melissa Carlton fell into a coma 10 weeks ago after an operation to remove a benign brain tumour, when she had a seizure that damaged part of her brain.

West's father Brian Lande, who has not left Carlton's side since her hospitalisation, said the birth of their son is a joyous but bittersweet occasion.

"As happy as I am to meet my son, it is incredibly painful for Melissa not to be awake with me for this," he told KTVU News.

"He's got his mom's nose and his mom's ears and he's opening his eyes and looking around already," Lande said.

However, Carlton is able to breastfeed West with assistance and it's possible she's aware of what's happening despite being in a coma.

Before West's birth she moved her husband's hand to her stomach where the baby was kicking, and she has also "puckered for a kiss".

Carlton's father John Farrell told KPIX News she has also been "making eye contact with the baby".

Author: Sam Downing. Approving editor: Martin Zavan.