A FIRST mother died tragically 30 minutes after giving birth to twins.
Rachael Galloway was “happy, proud and full of love” in the moments after Noah and Abel Galloway Whittaker were born on August 1, with tears in her eyes as she looked at her two boys.
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Rachael Galloway, 36, had complications after a C-section and passed away on August 1 Credit: Kennedy News
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Rachel was ‘happy’ and ‘full of love’ as she gave birth to her boys, but passed away 30 minutes laterCredit: Kennedy News
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A tearful Matt Whittaker, 36, holds twins Noah and Abel Credit: Kennedy News
However, Rachel tragically suffered complications from the C-section and passed away shortly afterwards.
The 36-year-old business owner, who got engaged to Matt Whittaker just a week earlier, was excited to become a mum and was eagerly planning her wedding – with plans for the boys to be part of the ceremony.
But the couple’s joy was tragically cut short when Rachael, who lived in Carnforth, Lancashire, died at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary despite the best efforts of doctors.
Devastated Matt, 36, is now caring for his twin sons as he plans Rachael’s funeral, which will take place on September 6.
Matt, from Carnforth, Lancashire, said: “She died bringing beauty into the world, bringing boys into the world.
“She was the best thing that ever happened to me.
“On the Friday when we got engaged, we were having our meal and I remember sitting there and saying to Rachael, ‘can you believe this is our life? Life really couldn’t be better’.
“[On the day of the c-section] Rach was the star. Even though she was nervous as hell, she was strong as hell and kept a brave face the whole time, until the boys were born.
“Then the tears of joy came, seeing them, knowing they were healthy and seeing me give Noah his first meal.
“She was so happy, so proud, so full of love. She had the world in her eyes when she looked at our boys.
I was told postpartum bleeding was normal – then I went to the toilet and made a horrifying discovery
“It’s a shame that she laid eyes on them for the last time, but I hope she still keeps them.
“Not only did she die on that table that day, but a part of me died and I’ll never get it back.
“But I won’t let the legacy and dreams she had for our boys die too. We’ve had to say goodbye to too much and I won’t let us lose any more.”
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Matt and Rachel got engaged a week before her deathCredit: Kennedy News
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She was excitedly planning the wedding and wanted to include her twins in itCredit: Kennedy News
Caesarean section or C-section is an operation in which babies are born through an incision in the abdomen and uterus.
Around one in four pregnant women in the UK have a caesarean section, according to the NHS.
A caesarean section may be recommended as a planned procedure or done as an emergency if a vaginal birth is considered too risky.
It is generally a safe procedure, but carries certain risks like any surgery.
Possible complications can include infection of the incision made during surgery, blood clots or excessive bleeding.
Mom ‘made the people around her better’
Matt said: “Rachael was the best person I’ve ever met, she made the world a better place.
“Not only because she was smart, funny, energetic, beautiful, caring, patient and so many other things, but because she made the people around her better.
“She saw and brought out the best in people, and I am living proof that she could see what no one else could.
“Now it’s my responsibility to be the man she saw and thought should start a family with her.
“I have to make her proud and make sure our boys grow up to be gentlemen she would be proud of.”
Family friend Emma Jones has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Matt and the boys, which currently stands at £19,888.
The 35-year-old manager described Rachael’s loss as devastating and said the family were ‘devastated and absolutely heartbroken’ by it.
What are the risks of caesarean section?
A caesarean section is generally a very safe procedure, but like any type of surgery, it carries certain risks
Some of them include:
- Wound infection (common) – causes redness, swelling, increased pain and discharge from the wound
- Infection of the lining of the uterus (common) – symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and heavy vaginal bleeding
- Excessive bleeding (less common) – may require a blood transfusion in severe cases or possibly further surgery to stop the bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis (rare) – a blood clot in the leg, which can cause pain and swelling, and can be very dangerous if it travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Damage to the bladder or the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder (rare) – may require further surgery
Women are now given antibiotics before caesareans, which should mean that infections become much less common.
A caesarean section can be performed due to:
- Your baby is in the breech position (feet forward) and your doctor or midwife has not been able to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy or you would rather not have tried this
- You have a low-lying placenta
- You have pregnancy-related high blood pressure
- You have certain infections, such as a first genital herpes infection that occurs late in pregnancy or untreated HIV
- Your baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients – sometimes this can mean the baby needs to be delivered right away
- Your labor is not progressing or there is excessive vaginal bleeding
Source: NHS
Emma, from Bingley, West Yorkshire, said: “She was so excited to be a mum. She also got engaged the day after her birthday, finally her happily ever after.
Before I went on holiday I hugged her and said ‘next time I see you you will be mummy to two beautiful boys’.
“That’s the last thing I said to her. I was so excited for her, I couldn’t believe that the next time I saw her she was going to be a mom.
“She was the best friend I ever had, I can’t believe we lost her.
“Her fiance and family are devastated, absolutely devastated. Poor Matt is left with these two beautiful babies and has to be their father while he grieves for his partner.
“I believe it happened within half an hour of the delivery of the boy.”
Sue Stansfield, Interim Director of Midwifery, UHMBT, said: “The loss of a loved one is tragic and our sincere condolences go out to all the families and friends affected by this sad loss.
“As we are in the process of carrying out an internal review and a coroner’s inquest is ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this stage – other than to say that we will continue to support the family and colleagues involved.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
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Emma Jones, 35, described Rachel as the best friend she ever hadCredit: Kennedy News
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