In an incredibly brave and selfless move, a woman has given birth to her son early so her dying husband had the chance to meet him before he passed away.
It's a story that has moved thousands of people around the world.
Mum Haley Parke underwent a c-section to give birth to her second son John Beeson Parke three weeks before his due date, after her husband's six-month cancer prognosis turned into "a matter of days" overnight.
The father was given the chance to hold his newborn son, while taking his last few breaths just minutes after the birth.
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The emotional story was shared by mum Haley on her Facebook page, explaining in detail the dramatic moments that followed the birth.
"On December 2nd, my husband JB and I welcomed our second son, earth side. This boy entered the world in the most brave and magical way, with a very big miracle to fulfill in a short matter of time", she began the post.
Haley explained that her husband JB was admitted to hospital four days prior with complications from his cancer.
Just days later he was told that he only had days to live leaving the couple devastated as their son's due date was still three weeks away.
However, with the help of the ICU doctors and delivery doctors, the hospital offered the expecting mum an induction so that JB was able to meet his son before he died.
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"I kissed my sweet husband goodbye and told him to be strong and hold on for me and the baby - he said he would," Hayley wrote. "We began the induction process Wednesday night with hopes of a quick labor and vaginal birth.
"Those plans changed in an instant when a team of ICU doctors entered my room Thursday morning at 8am with the news that Jb was declining fast and had a matter of a few hours. It was either a c-section right at that moment, or Jb would not have the opportunity to meet our son.
"Without a question in my mind, I said "Let's go" and we did just that. In a matter of literally one minute, I was in the OR, and in just a short 20 minutes later, our son was born.
"He was given to me for a quick kiss, and then a team of doctors and nurses ran him up two floors, and he was placed on his daddy's chest."
"The miracle of all this? When our baby was placed on Jb's chest, Jb's vitals all instantly improved. He was also acknowledging our son was there by making small head movements and sweet moans," she added.
After being attended to by doctors and nurses the mum was then wheeled through the hospital to be reunited with her husband and their newborn son for a bittersweet few moments.
"I spent my recovery time gazing at my husband. I was gazing at him in sadness, but in awe of his strength", she wrote.
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Hayley then described the heartbreaking moment she lost JB.
"He took his last breaths with our son on his chest and my hand in his hand", she wrote.
The emotional mum said her new son was "prepared" for his dramatic entrance into the world as he came out strong and healthy despite being born three weeks early.
"God prepared our son for this very moment because he came out weighing 3.28kg at 50.8cm long, with fully-developed lungs that let out the sweetest of cries", she revealed.
Hayely admitted that afterwards, a steady stream of teary doctors and nurses came in and out of the room.
"Some of them told me they'll never forget this act of selflessness. Some called my actions brave and heroic. I just call it love. I acted out of love," she wrote.
She also announced that despite not having any names picked out for their second son, the mum knew exactly what she would go with.
"So, it is my pleasure to announce the birth of our brave, amazing son, John Beeson Parker", a tribute to his father JB.
JB also leaves behind his first son, Brinton, who he and Haley welcomed in June 2020.
Hayley and her husband JB with their first-born son. (Facebook)
Hayley's emotional story has been read over 80,000 times on Facebook and left people around the world in tears.
"You are beautiful. Your son is a miracle, your husband his daddy is a hero. May you be blessed in this hardest of times", one woman commented on the post.
Another commended the mum for her brave act: "Your son will live his life knowing he got to meet his Dad. What a legacy you've given him".
