A woman from the United States, identified as Hannah, experienced a near-death situation following the birth of her second child. After her heart stopped beating for approximately one minute due to complications, she recounted a profound experience that took place during that moment.
Hannah’s challenging delivery occurred at a children’s hospital after she went into labor naturally at 36 weeks gestation. Her newborn had been diagnosed with a bowel obstruction while still in the womb, necessitating immediate surgical intervention. Additionally, Hannah faced intrauterine growth restriction, which had impacted both of her pregnancies, resulting in her first son being born at just 4 lbs 13 oz and her second at 5 lbs 10 oz.
Complications arose ten hours post-delivery. Hannah described feeling fine initially, walking around the maternity ward after the birth at 1:33 am. However, she began experiencing severe cramps while visiting her baby in the NICU. After discovering significant blood clots, she alerted a nurse, who checked her condition. As she held her newborn, intense pain overwhelmed her, prompting her husband to take the baby while she sought medical assistance.
In the examination room, a nurse performed an ultrasound and suspected retained placenta, which required removal. Hannah underwent a second procedure, as pain persisted. Shortly afterward, she began hemorrhaging again and felt something was seriously wrong.
In a moment of crisis, Hannah recalled around 20 medical staff rushing into her room as her vision blurred. “There’s some things that are super precise and clear, and then there’s some things that are really blurry,” she stated. As pandemonium surrounded her, she heard her doctor mention preparing for surgery, triggering a realization that she might lose her uterus.
“I died,” Hannah said, describing her experience. She felt herself rise above the room, witnessing it from a distance. “It was extremely peaceful, but with a touch of sadness because I knew I was never gonna see my kids again.”
During this time, she perceived a bright white light, a sensation akin to being propelled into another realm. “It felt like God-like power punched me back into earth,” she recalled, awakening suddenly and confused, clutching the hand of an anaesthesiologist instead of her husband.
After the incident, Hannah underwent multiple blood transfusions, but doctors could not provide a clear explanation for her condition. The experience has left her with a sense of apprehension about future pregnancies. While she expressed a desire to have a third child, the fear of facing a similar life-threatening situation looms large.
Hannah’s story highlights the complexities and dangers of childbirth, particularly when complications arise. Her account serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unexpected challenges some mothers face during and after delivery.