A mother has recounted a terrifying incident where she almost lost her life after yawning so intensely that it fractured her neck.

Hayley Black was caring for her newborn, and as any parent knows, it can be exhausting work.

With sleepless nights, irregular waking hours, early mornings, and disrupted routines, new parents face a challenging time, with sleep being a top priority.

It's no surprise that the young mother was fatigued, and unfortunately, this led to a significant downturn for her family.

The 36-year-old instinctively yawned after watching her baby daughter do the same. However, she immediately sensed that something was amiss.

Hayley described experiencing a sensation akin to an 'electric shock' coursing through her body, with her arm becoming 'frozen in the air'.

Hayley fractured her neck bones in a 'freak accident' while yawning (Kennedy News & Media)

That's when she requested her husband, Ian Black, 39, to call for an ambulance.

The young mother stated she was in 'excruciating pain' and knew 'something was terribly wrong'.

Initially, doctors didn't detect any issues until they discovered that the C6 and C7 vertebrae in her neck had 'moved forward into her spine' due to the 'force of her yawn'.

Hayley shared her ordeal on TikTok, as she fortunately survived the surgery required to mend the bones.

Despite the successful surgery, she has suffered permanent nerve damage, which has left her unable to work.

The incident, which occurred in May 2016, also left her with psychological scars, and unsurprisingly, she now tries to suppress any yawns.

Hayley, who resides in Milton Keynes, commented: "Most people start their day with a big yawn, never expecting it to lead to something like this.

"They say yawns are contagious, and I woke up at 5.00am, saw my daughter yawning, and instinctively yawned myself.

"I stretched to get up and make her a bottle.

"I felt this immediate electric shock sensation run through half my body, and I jumped up in shock."

She said she yawned after seeing her newborn baby yawning (Kennedy News & Media)

"My arm got stuck in the air, and I was experiencing these electric shock sensations. It felt like a seizure affecting half of my body. I knew immediately something was dreadfully wrong.

"I told my husband, 'you need to call an ambulance; something's wrong with my neck'. He replied, 'it's 5.00am, you haven't done anything, you're fine'. I insisted, 'something's seriously wrong', and he prepared the baby's bottle and called an ambulance."

This marked the beginning of a painful journey for Hayley.

She remembers: "I was screaming in pain throughout the night, using gas and air. I was trying to hit myself in the head to knock myself out due to the intense pain."

Initial scans showed no issues, leading to further frustration.

"Nobody was listening to me, and I kept insisting 'something is seriously wrong'. The nurses were becoming frustrated with me, saying 'there's nothing on the scans, you're okay'.

Hayley underwent surgery, which was successful, but she still struggles with pain and nerve damage (Kennedy News & Media)

"[But then] the doctors conducted more tests, and the surgeon revealed 'this is worse than we thought'. I was completely paralyzed on my right side.

"It was unbelievable. The C6 and C7 vertebrae had moved forward into my spine when I yawned due to the yawn's force. They described it as a freak incident.

"My mother told me the doctor said, 'it's a 50/50 chance whether she'll walk again and potentially survive'. Another doctor later explained it was due to my low oxygen levels.

"I remember my mom being there when they put me to sleep. I woke up, and they had restored all functions, which was incredible. I'm so fortunate, but I'm still traumatized."

Following the surgery, she had to relearn how to walk.

"I still suffer from the nerve damage today. I frequently experience pains running down my arms, shooting down my back, and up into my neck and head.

"If I don't take my medication, every step I take results in electric shocks shooting up my spine and into my head.

"I am grateful to the surgeons every day for allowing me to be here with my children and do the things I can."

She advises everyone to 'advocate for yourself and trust your instincts; you know when something is seriously wrong'.