We've heard our fair share of extraordinary birth stories but this one really is something else.

Elayna Nigrelli arrived into this world somewhat dramatically when her mother Erica passed out and her heart stopped beating when she was 36-weeks pregnant.

According to reports Erica, who is an English teacher at Elkins High School in Texas, felt faint in work back in February. She told KPRC: "I put my head down and I essentially passed out."

 

The proud parents (image courtesy of ABC).

Her husband Nathan, who is also a teacher at the school, and fellow staff rushed to her side. They started CPR and used a defibrillator while they were waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

Erica was rushed to intensive care but doctors had to stop CPR so that the baby could be delivered by caesarean section. Elayna arrived into the world perfectly healthy.

 

Elayna made a dramatic entrance into the world (image courtesy of ABC).

Nathan told The Star: "The doctors told me that Erica delivered post-mortem because she did not have a heartbeat when they took the baby out. But I married a fighter, and now I had a baby girl who was a fighter, too."

Thankfully hospital staff were then able to get Erica's heart started again after the birth although she was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and given a pacemaker.

Both mother and baby made a full recovery and are said to be enjoying life back at home. Erica's colleagues have been credited with saving her life.