A mother has shared her harrowing tale of survival after developing life-threatening sepsis following childbirth, crediting her partner's desperate CPR with saving her life.
Emily Johnson, 32, from Manchester, was moments from death when her partner, James Carter, locked lips with her in a frantic bid to restart her failing heart.
The Terrifying Ordeal
Emily had just given birth to her second child when she began experiencing severe symptoms of sepsis—a condition she initially dismissed as normal post-delivery fatigue.
"I felt like I was burning up, but I thought it was just exhaustion," she recalled. "Then my vision blurred, and I couldn't stay conscious."
A Race Against Time
As Emily's condition rapidly deteriorated, James noticed her lips turning blue and her pulse fading. With no time to wait for paramedics, he began administering CPR.
"I just acted on instinct," James said. "I remembered the first aid training I'd done years ago and knew I had to keep her heart going until help arrived."
The Aftermath
Emily was rushed to intensive care, where doctors confirmed she had developed sepsis—a potentially fatal immune response to infection. She spent weeks in recovery, battling organ failure and multiple complications.
Now, she is sharing her story to raise awareness about maternal sepsis, urging other mothers to recognise the warning signs.
A Message to Other Mothers
"If something feels wrong after childbirth, don't ignore it," Emily warned. "Sepsis can kill within hours. I was lucky—James saved me, but not everyone gets that second chance."
Her story highlights the importance of sepsis awareness and the critical role of basic first aid knowledge in emergencies.
