THE husband of an unvaccinated mum who died with Covid just after giving birth has told of his pain that she never got to hold her baby.

       Samantha Willis, 35, passed away on Friday following an agonising 16-day stint in hospital with the virus.

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       A mum who contracted Covid while pregnant never got to hold her daughter Credit: Pacemaker 4

       Husband Josh Willis has revealed his heartache Credit: Facebook

       Partner Josh Willis said he had tried to arrange for her to hold their daughter Eviegrace before her condition worsened, but sadly it was too late.

       He told the BBC: "She carried her for eight months but she never held her in her arms.

       "The one thing I wanted was for her to see her baby and to hold her."

       Heartbroken Josh said he "thought we had 40 more years together" and would have plenty of time to "share experiences and watch the wee ones grow up".

       "But birthdays, communions, whatever it is - it was all taken away," he said.

       The dad-of-four - who said goodbye to Samantha at her funeral on Monday - revealed the "love of his life" had not had a coronavirus jab.

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       He also said the couple and their family had avoided pubs and restaurants during lockdown and consistently used face masks.

       But Josh and his wife both contracted the virus on the same day while she was pregnant.

       Sadly her condition worsened and she was rushed to Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry, Northern Ireland.

       Despite "putting up a strong fight", Samantha died 16 days later.

       Josh hopes by sharing his heartbreak he can encourage others to get vaccinated and save lives.

       "I just want to put her story out there," he said. "I think if she could help one person, one family, she would be happy."

       The one thing I wanted was for her to see her baby and to hold her.

       Husband Josh Willis

       He also tweeted: "As I write this I am laying beside her, she is 35, unvaccinated and in a coffin. Let that sink in!"

       He added: "I spent hrs in ICU on Thur/Friday with my wife who passed away.

       "It's real, the numbers are real. Get your vaccine so you or your family don't have to go through what I have had to."

       At Samantha's funeral, two-week-old Eviegrace was carried behind her coffin.

       She leaves behind her husband, four children - Shéa, Holly, Lilyanna and Eviegrace - her parents and extended family.

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       The funeral procession for Samantha, from Derry Credit: PA 4

       Samantha leaves behind her husband Josh and her four children

       Tragic newborn baby is carried behind coffin of the unvaccinated mum, 35, she never met at emotional funeral