March 27 Proclaimed Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A rare complication got special attention at the Oklahoma Capitol. It's a rare, and sometimes deadly, event that can happen to a mother during child birth.

"You never thought that the best day of your life could turn into the worst and the same day," said Cale Cochran.

It was an emotional day, as Governor Kevin Stitt declared March 27th Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day.

In 2021, Lea Ann Stephens' daughter, Jaci Cochran, went into labor after a health pregnancy. After her water broke, the 26-year-old developed symptoms.

"Her baby, the heart rate was dropping. She said she felt like that she was going to pass out. She thought she was going to vomit," said Stephens.

"They kicked Lea Ann and I out of the hospital room and they put us just right around the corner to where we could hear everything," said Cale Cochran, Jaci's Husband. "You never get that out of your head."

After working on her for nearly two hours, doctors lost Jaci.

"It's like a horror movie," said Cochran. "The doctor's waiting on you and she lowers your mask and tells you they did all they could."

Her son, Jaxon, survived. He's now 3-years-old.

AFE is a catastrophic complication, when the amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream. While that's normal, sometimes mothers can have an essentially deadly or dangerous allergic reaction to the fluid. You can find more information at the AFE Foundation's website.

It should be noted, sometimes mothers survive an AFE.

"Every mom that has gone back to have another baby, has never experienced AFE again we don't know why. So the research is so important," said Stephens.

In 2015, Tara Dixon also suffered an AFE after her blood pressure dropped during an emergency Cesarean section.

"I'm hearing over the intercom that they're calling for code blue. they had to do emergency hysterectomy, several emergency surgeries on her," said Nicole Henderson, Tara's mother. "She never woke up."

Dixon's son, Asher, survived. He's now 8-years-old.

After the annual proclamation, Governor Kevin Stitt listened to the family's stories.

"I can't imagine the joy of your son, and the loss of your wife," the governor told Jaci's family.

Families now hope this will raise awareness and help spur on more research.