UK3 min(s) read
Stark warning given as mom 'almost dies' after morning yawn was so 'forceful' it broke her neck
A 36-year-old mother from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, is raising awareness after a routine yawn nearly cost her her life.
Per The Mirror, Hayley Black had just woken to feed her newborn daughter when she stretched and yawned - something she’d done countless times before. But this time, she was hit with a sudden electric shock sensation across her body, and her arm became stuck in midair. Alarmed by the intense pain, she urged her husband to call for help.
Paramedics arrived and transported her to the hospital, but initial scans didn’t detect anything out of the ordinary. It was only later that doctors discovered two of her neck bones, the C6 and C7 vertebrae, had forcefully shifted into her spine due to the extreme pressure of the yawn.
Doctors gave her a 50/50 chance of survival
Medical staff described the injury as highly unusual. Black was informed she had only a 50 percent chance of survival or regaining the ability to walk. Emergency surgery was performed, and doctors were able to restore her physical function. She later learned from a doctor that the injury may have been worsened by low oxygen levels in her body at the time.
Her mother stayed by her side before the procedure, and Black said waking up with her functions intact felt miraculous. She later shared video footage about the experience on TikTok, where the post gathered over a thousand views.
The injury turned her life upside down
While the surgery was successful, the aftermath of the incident was life-altering. Black now lives with permanent nerve damage and has developed fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread chronic pain. She spent months in a wheelchair and had to relearn how to walk. She also bears a tracheal scar from the surgical removal of discs in her neck.
The situation had a deep effect on her personal life. Her husband stepped in as both caregiver and full-time parent, and the family eventually became homeless during the difficult recovery. Black has tried returning to work multiple times but says her condition makes it hard to maintain steady employment.
She continues to experience shooting pain in her back, arms, neck, and head, especially if she misses her medication. Even small movements can trigger electric shock-like sensations throughout her spine.
Advocating for awareness and healing
The experience left her deeply shaken, and she says she now panics whenever she starts to yawn. Exercise, playtime with her children, and daily routines have all become limited. Despite the trauma, she remains grateful to be alive and with her family.
Black hopes that by sharing her story, others will better understand how fragile the body can be, especially when it comes to hidden injuries. She encourages people facing chronic pain or injury to be kind to themselves, take recovery at their own pace, and trust their instincts when something feels wrong. She also stresses the importance of advocating for your own care - even when others don’t believe you.