A mother who experienced a life-threatening complication during childbirth has shared her harrowing story. Sarah Mills, 32, from Harringay, London, had an emergency caesarean section after her daughter Myla's hand came through her cervix. During the procedure, she lost 5.5 litres of blood and was placed into a coma.
The Birth Experience
Sarah began feeling unusually hot while being stitched up after the C-section on October 24, 2025. Doctors administered a general anaesthetic and discovered a blood clot on her cervix. When removed, she suffered massive haemorrhaging. She remained in a coma overnight before finally meeting her daughter.
Sarah described the ordeal: 'I saw a really bright white light and kept telling them I was going to heaven. It was extremely traumatic.' She recalled feeling her body draining and focusing on ceiling squares to stay conscious. 'I felt I had to keep my eyes open or I was sure I would die.'
Details of the Labour
Sarah and her partner Marius, a chef, were expecting their daughter in February 2025. After a week of sporadic contractions, she was induced at 40 weeks and five days. Cervical rods were inserted, and labour progressed rapidly. By the time her waters were broken, meconium staining was noted, requiring continuous monitoring. Myla's hand became stuck above her head, necessitating an emergency C-section.
Myla was born weighing 8lbs at 8:21pm, but Sarah's condition deteriorated immediately. She received seven blood transfusions and was put into a coma at 1am on October 25. She woke spontaneously at 7am and saw her daughter later that evening.
Aftermath and Reflection
Sarah and Myla were discharged on October 29. Doctors explained the bleed was caused by pressure from Myla's head on Sarah's cervix due to the hand presentation and the speed of delivery. Sarah believes her warnings were not heeded: 'If they had listened to me when I said something was wrong, they would have found the bleed much sooner.'
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust apologised for the psychological impact, with Director of Nursing Matthew Hodson expressing regret. A trust spokesperson said they are investigating Sarah's complaint.
Sarah's story highlights the importance of listening to patients and the challenges of modern maternity care.
