Mother with cancer died to protect baby

LONDON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Hospital officials say a British woman who refused cancer treatment to protect her unborn son has died just weeks after giving birth.

Lorraine Allard, 33, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer when she was four months pregnant, the Telegraph reported Saturday.

Allard rejected the idea of an abortion and delayed her cancer treatment, giving birth to son Liam 15 weeks prematurely, the Telegraph reported.

"She knew all too well she didn't have long to live. So she put little Liam's life before her own," said her husband, Martyn, an oil field technician from St. Olaves, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Allard had hoped to live long enough bring her son home from the hospital. Her chemotherapy, however, had little effect and she died Jan 18, the Telegraph said.

Liam, who is putting on weight and gaining strength, is scheduled to leave the hospital in early March, his father said, calling his wife his "soulmate." The couple also have three daughters.