Single mum-of-three, 33, dies ‘suddenly and unexpectedly’ during C-section
A SINGLE mum of three passed away ‘suddenly and unexpectedly’ before she could hold her newborn baby in her arms.
Jayne Cox, 33, was scheduled to give birth via caesarean on November 24.
But her surgery was moved forward two weeks after her water broke at home on November 8.
The mum, of Little Plumstead, Norfolk, went to hospital with a close family member to have her c-section, but never returned home.
Already mum to Anthony, 11, and Glen, four, she delivered a third baby boy who she didn’t get to hold.
Her three children are now being care for by Jayne’s stepfather, Glen Gibson, and mum, Maggie.
A ‘sudden and unexpected’ death
Glen told Eastern Daily Express that the family still didn’t have the answers about what lead to Jayne’s death.
“We are waiting to hear from the hospital,” he said.
He added that Jayne had “been poorly the day before” her waters broke on November 8 and “had had some problems with her breathing”.
Around one in four mums in the UK give birth via c-section, according to the NHS, which involves the baby being born through a cut to the lower abdomen and womb.
It’s generally considered to be a very safe surgery, though it does pose some risks to mums.
It’s rare for mums to die during a c-section. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) estimated there are 13 maternal deaths for every 100,000 c-section birth, compared to four in 100,000 after natural births.
It did note that women having a c-sections would have been at higher risk of complications to begin with.
‘Well-liked’ and ‘hands on mum’ dearly missed
Glen payed tribute to his stepdaughter on behalf of the family, describing her as “a popular person with lots of friends, who was well-liked”.
“She was an all-round type of person who was very hands-on and enjoyed keeping busy,” Glen added.
He said she had a knack with motorcycles, bikes and cars, and loved giving herself a challenge and getting her hands dirty.
The family set up a GoFundMe campaign after the mum’s passing, to help fund her funeral and provide her three boys with Christmas gifts.
Organised by family friend Kathleen Conrad, it says Jayne “went into hospital for a c-section to have her newest baby boy, but very sadly she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly before even getting to hold her baby boy for reasons not known to us yet”.
Kathleen went on: “As you can imagine the whole family is distraught, her mum absolutely broken and her sons – I can’t even imagine.
“They’re without their mummy, their whole world.”
In an update to the page following a first round of donations, Kathleen thanked people on behalf of Jayne’s family.
“Maggie and her husband and all the family are beyond heartbroken,” she wrote.
“Maggie yearns for her daughter each and every second of every day, none of this can bring Jayne home to her little boys and her mum and family but this has eased the financial worry that comes at this devastating time.”
So far, £6,400 has been donated to the GoFundMe.
Risks of c-sections
C-sections are generally considered to be very safe procedures.
But like any type of surgery, it does carry some risks, according to the NHS.
The level of risk will depend on things such as whether the procedure is planned or carried out as an emergency and the mum’s general health, it added.
The NHS outlined the following main risks of having a caesarean birth:
- infection of the wound created during the procedure – this is common can cause swelling, redness, increasing pain and discharge from the wound
- infection of the womb lining – this is common and can cause fever, tummy pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and heavy vaginal bleeding
- excessive bleeding – this is a less common side effect and may require a blood transfusion or further surgery to stop bleeding
- deep vein thrombosis – this is a rare complication of c-section births and involves a blood clot forming in your leg, which can can cause pain and swelling, and could be very dangerous if it travels to the lungs
- damage to your bladder or the tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder – this is also a rare risk and may require further surgery to correct
Women are now given antibiotics before having a caesarean, the NHS noted, which should mean infections become much less common.
Risks to your baby could include accidental cuts or temporary breathing difficulties when the womb is opened.