A mum revealed how she was placed into two comas and nearly died after giving birth.
Heather Boyd, 38, shared how she was left fighting for her life following a C-section in January. The mum-of-five was rushed to hospital after she suddenly become ill at 35 weeks pregnant with her son, Charlie. Heather told doctors she had "excruciating" stomach pains, but the mum said medics thought she had constipation - telling her to go for a bath.
It wasn't until Heather started throwing up that she was rushed her into theatre to perform an emergency C-section, at the Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, Scotland.
Heather, from Saltcoats, explained that after having four other children she knew those pains "weren't normal", according to the Daily Record.
The mum said: "I was screaming in agony and they told me to go for a bath. I started throwing up when they realised Charlie wasn't coping well so that's when they decided to do an emergency C-section.
"At that point, I was in so much pain that I just wanted the agony to stop, I've never experienced pain like it before."
Charlie was thankfully delivered successfully and Heathers body was stitched up and she was told the procedure was successful. Despite this, the mum's stomach ballooned and she started throwing up "faeces and bile", following complications.
Heather said she was given a second operation to treat an abscess. Her health nightmare became even worse when during the procedure, her bowel was perforated - leaving holes in the wall of her intestine which allowed its contents to leak into her abdominal cavity.
The injury, which can be caused by medical procedures, can cause a life-threatening infection called peritonitis, which can lead to sepsis.
Heather said: "After the C-section, I fell really unwell again, I was throwing up faeces and green bile and my stomach swelled right back up. I knew something wasn't right. I was sick but in my gut I knew something was seriously wrong. I underwent the surgery and was told I had a perforated bowel."
Heather contracted sepsis and went into septic shock shortly after the operation. She was placed into two induced comas, each lasting several days.
She said: "After the surgery, everything was blurry. I contracted sepsis and was actually in a state of septic shock. I was placed into two induced comas and brushed with death twice." Heather added: "I'm lucky to be alive."
The new mum remained in hospital for six months and was discharged in June. Following her ordeal, she has been left with a gaping 16-inch hole across her abdomen. Heather now requires the use of a stoma bag and a feeding tube. She also dropped to 7st in weight and has suffered significant hair loss as a result of the stress on her body.
The mum-of-five claims that there has been no correspondence from her doctors over if - or when - her open abdomen can be closed back up.
She continued: "I feel helpless and at a loss because I'm trying to get better and lead a normal life but I can't. I have been left in such a mess - my abdomen constantly leaks and I'm having to go for about four baths a day, it's horrible.
"I constantly feel dirty, can't leave my home and can't even wear normal clothes - I'm living in pyjamas because that is what is comfortable right now."
She added: "Had the hospital acted quicker from the offset when I was still pregnant, then this whole disaster may have been avoided. Childbirth is basic women's healthcare, what should have been a simple procedure nearly left me dead."
In a statement, Jennifer Wilson, Executive Nurse Director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: "Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cases. We understand how important it is for people to feel heard and supported. Our complaints handling process allows us to listen, understand and respond directly with anyone who has concerns about the care or support they have received."
