A YOUNG mum from Newport has died after developing complications during her pregnancy which left her on a life support machine for three weeks.

Leah Biggs, 27, was on a life-support machine at a specialist heart hospital in Birmingham after giving birth to 4lbs 4oz daughter Aria on Tuesday, November 10.

But three weeks later, doctors made the decision to switch her life-support machine off last Sunday, November 29.

That same evening, baby Aria, who had been receiving intensive care in an incubator, was allowed home with her dad, Mike.

Although Mrs Biggs was not able to see her daughter, doctors did arrange for them to have body contact before her passing.

Her sister-in-law Lucianna said it was a comfort to the family that mother and baby were able to have that contact and they always hoped that Mrs Biggs would pull through.

She added: “It’s such a difficult time for our family but Aria is a ray of light and is pulling us all through.”

Mrs Biggs, who worked as a beauty therapist, was born with a hereditary heart condition and needed a heart transplant.

Doctors warned she would probably never be able to carry a baby.

After her long wait for a transplant ended in October 2010, the couple were told last year they could try for a child.

But five months into the pregnancy, complications caused her heart rate to rocket as well as fluid to accumulate around the heart.

Due to concerns, Aria was delivered via Caesarean section seven weeks early, with Mrs Biggs being heavily sedated during the procedure.

However, she suffered further complications in her kidneys and the day after giving birth her heart stopped, with doctors forced to perform CPR for 40 minutes.

Doctors told the family that she would require another heart transplant.

But Lucianna explained that before this could happen, she developed septicaemia and her organs began to shut down.

Throughout, her husband, who has spent a decade with Mrs Biggs after they met while they were both on holiday in Spain as teenagers, did not leave her bedside.

During that time, Lucianna raised £2,790 through online donations for the family and has been raising awareness of the importance of organ donations.

Now Mr Biggs’ colleagues, at Stratstone Land Rover in Newport where he works as a technician, are holding a fundraising climb up Pen y Fan on Sunday.

Sale administrator Jenna Smith said: “We all just want to raise as much money as we can to support Mike at this difficult time.”

Over ten staff, plus friends and family will be completing the route and have already raised £400.

To make a donation visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/vicki-ullathorne-wright