A MUM has spoken of her battle to overcome a life-threatening condition she developed days after giving birth.

Farrah Moseley-Brown, of Rhoose, should have been spending time bonding with her new-born baby Clay but instead found herself battling sepsis after being diagnosed with a perforated bowel.

Baby Clay – who is little brother to five-year-old Cohan – was delivered on May 7, 2020.

A few hours after his birth, Ms Moseley-Brown underwent surgery to stem bleeding, plus a blood transfusion, due to losing around two-and-a-half pints of blood.

On May 8, Ms Moseley-Brown received constipation treatment and she was sent home three days later, on May 10.

Ms Moseley-Brown said: “As soon as I delivered Clay it felt as though the pain started. As the days went on, I felt like I needed the toilet constantly, but I couldn’t go, and the pain kept getting worse.

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“Even when I was home the pain was there. It felt like I spent hours in absolute pain, crying out.”

Two days later she called the hospital complaining of stomach pain and issues with keeping food down and was re-admitted. She received further treatment for constipation and underwent a stomach X-ray returned home on May 15.

The following day, at around 1pm, an ambulance took her to the hospital with a fever, raised heart rate and rapid breathing.

“I remember an ambulance being called and the day after arriving back in hospital being told I had to be put to sleep because my bowel had punctured and that I was hours from death,” said Ms Moseley-Brown.

“However, everything is a blur because of the pain I was in and how tired I was.”

Doctors believed she had a womb infection and sepsis – a condition which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection. The following day she had a CT scan and was diagnosed with a perforated bowel for which she underwent surgery.

Farrah stayed in hospital until June 8. She now has a stoma and is awaiting further discussions with her doctors regarding whether the stoma can be reversed.

Following her ‘trauma’ the full-time mum has backed a major awareness campaign. She has also asked specialist medical negligence lawyers to investigate her care under Cardiff and Vale university health board.

James Pink, the lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ms Moseley-Borwn, said: “The last 15 months have been incredibly traumatic for Farrah and her family as she attempted to recover and come to terms with what happened.

“Constipation can be common in women after giving birth and in some cases can lead to more serious conditions if not treated correctly.

“Understandably Farrah has a number of questions about how her bowel perforated and how she developed sepsis. We’re now investigating her concerns and are determined to provide her with the answers she deserves.

“By sharing her story Farrah also hopes that people are aware of the signs of sepsis and how early detection and treatment are key to beating it.”

Ms Moseley-Brown said she still struggles with flashbacks and medical needs from her experience.

“Giving birth to Clay was meant to be one of the happiest times of my life,” said Ms Moseley-Brown.

“But, because of everything else that happened that time is a horrific memory which causes me great upset. I was seriously ill in hospital and my boys were at home.

“I know nothing can turn the clock back, but I feel I deserve answers to what happened to me. I hope that by sharing my story I can help make others aware of the symptoms of sepsis and how important early treatment is.”

A spokeswoman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “We wish Farrah all the best with her recovery - the case is currently under review and a full investigation is in progress.

“As an organisation we support raising awareness of sepsis and the importance of early recognition of symptoms by health care professionals and the public.”

Signs of sepsis include slurred speech, confusion, extreme shivering, muscle pain, passing no urine in a day, severe breathlessness and mottled or discoloured skin.

For more information visit www.sepsistrust.org