Instead, she is fighting for her life after contracting the flu while pregnant.

The 33-year-old mum was an otherwise healthy and fit woman when she was struck down by the influenza epidemic gripping the country in the late stages of her pregnancy.

She remains in an induced coma and unaware she has given birth to "the most perfect little baby boy".

Her son was delivered five weeks premature during an emergency birth on August 28.

The woman from Cobram, in northern Victoria, initially went to her local doctor but her family said she was sent home several times.

Ms Hawthorn was in a critical condition at The Alfred hospital on Tuesday after being diagnosed with influenza A, pneumonia and other serious medical complications.

Her family have established a gofundme fundraising page to help raise $20,000 to foot the bill for her medical and rehabilitation costs.

"Sarah remains in an induced coma, fighting for her life, unaware that she has given birth to the most perfect little baby boy," her sister-in-law Rachael Holt posted on the fundraising page.

Ms Holt said her infant son, "Bomber Hawk", won't be named until his mum wakes from her coma.

"As you can imagine, the cost of living 270 kilometres away from home, maintaining a bedside vigil by your wife in ICU and also caring for a newborn is quickly taking its toll," Ms Holt posted.

"At present she is fully machine-supported and literally fighting for her life. The joy of the arrival of her precious baby ... tinged with sadness as we continue to hope and pray for the best possible outcome.

"Her baby boy has never had the chance to lay with his mum, snuggle into her chest or hear her infectious laugh."

"The funds raised will be used to help pay for travel and accommodation, living expenses and ongoing medical expenses as Sarah will have a long rehabilitation once she makes it through."

Her husband, Robert, is maintaining a bedside vigil at The Alfred hospital.

Her family claims she spent eight days seeking medical help, but was sent home from the Yarrawonga hospital and told to see a GP.

There have been more than 13,000 cases of influenza reported in Victoria this year and more than 105,000 cases nationally.

At least 10 people had died from flu-related complications.

The latest to fall victim to the flu epidemic was eight-year-old girl Rosie Andersen.

Earlier this month, a 30-year-old father died of influenza on what should have been his first Father's Day with his baby son.

The epidemic has also led to a nationwide shortage of the anti-viral medication Tamiflu.

Within two days, the fundraising page for Ms Hawthorn has raised $12,340 of the $20,000 target.

Ms Hawthorn is a popular member of the Cobram Campdrafting Club, with members expressing their concern about her illness on Facebook.

"Please help support one of our own Sarah is a very highly valued member of the Cobram Campdraft Committee," the club posted online.

"This amazing girl and her husband Rob go above and beyond to help our club and our sport out every year in away they can."

Campdrafting is horse riding event, where the rider herds a cow around a course.

A page, Sending Sarah Love, has been set up to send messages of support to Ms Hawthorn.