Ellie Marples experienced a harrowing ordeal just hours after the birth of her son, Albie Marples, when she nearly lost her life to sepsis while breastfeeding. The incident occurred shortly after Ellie underwent a cesarean section at Jessop Hospital in Sheffield, where she welcomed her baby boy, weighing 9 lbs 4 oz, into the world.
In the recovery room, as Ellie began breastfeeding for the first time, she felt increasingly unwell. “I started to feel really poorly,” the 32-year-old said. “I couldn’t quench my thirst and everything went black.” She soon began to vomit blood, leading to a rapid response from medical staff who rushed her back into surgery.
Ellie was placed in an induced coma for 21 days while doctors battled severe complications. Scans indicated that she was experiencing multi-organ failure due to an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare condition where amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, which is the fifth leading cause of direct maternal death.
After the initial surgery, Ellie required life support and had 80% of her colon removed, along with the fitting of a stoma bag. Just days later, on October 17, 2024, she underwent a life-saving hysterectomy after further scans revealed that her womb and cervix were also septic.
Ellie recalled the moments following her surgery: “I woke up really, really confused—I wasn’t sure what had happened or where I was.” Medical staff informed her of the severity of her condition and the life-altering decisions made on her behalf. Despite the traumatic experience, she expressed gratitude for her survival. “I felt really lucky, especially when you see the numbers of the survival rates from amniotic fluid embolism,” she stated.
Her recovery journey continued at The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, where she was placed on dialysis due to her condition. The medical team worked diligently to stabilize her health, and Ellie was eventually transferred back to Jessop Hospital for ongoing recovery before returning home on November 12, 2024.
While Ellie has physically recovered, she acknowledges the mental toll the experience has taken. “I’ve not been to the hospital for the last few weeks now; it’s more the mental side of things that I’m picking up on rather than the physical side,” she explained. The emotional impact of her ordeal, especially being unable to hold her newborn for over a month, left her feeling anxious about bonding with Albie.
Fortunately, Ellie found that their connection blossomed naturally. “I was nervous because I didn’t want to not bond with him, but fortunately I picked up as if I’d been there from day one,” she shared. Today, she reflects on her experience with a sense of relief and gratitude, noting that she feels lucky to be alive and surrounded by a supportive health care team during her critical moments.
Ellie’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential risks associated with childbirth, emphasizing the importance of immediate medical care and support during emergencies.
