Woman’s Postpartum Ordeal Highlights Importance of Recognizing Sepsis

A woman’s instinct after giving birth proved crucial when dismissed concerns led to a fight for her life. In May 2024, Kimberley Sidhu, from Alberta, Canada, was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her second child following a challenging pregnancy marred by severe morning sickness.

As her due date neared, Sidhu underwent a membrane sweep, a common procedure to initiate labor. However, she noticed a troubling change shortly afterward.

‘Two days later, I noticed my discharge had turned green,’ Sidhu shared. ‘I sat in the bathroom, doubting myself and the lighting.’

Concerned, her husband contacted their midwife, who reassured them that as long as the baby moved normally, there was no need for worry.

Once their daughter arrived on May 26, 2024, Sidhu’s health rapidly declined. She experienced severe shaking, purple extremities, and felt cold under multiple blankets and heating pads.

The subsequent days brought pelvic pain, nausea, and a numbing left leg. Despite her growing distress, she initially attributed her symptoms to recovering poorly compared to her first pregnancy.

‘I believed I was struggling more this time,’ Sidhu admitted. ‘I mentioned my fever to the midwife, who called it normal hormonal changes.’

She was told her pain and breathlessness might be due to her breastmilk coming in. Desperate for relief, Sidhu’s condition worsened.

From Recovery to Medical Emergency

Four days post-delivery, her left leg numbed entirely. Recognizing it as a grave issue, she returned to the hospital, demanding attention from medical staff.

Following an ECG and lung ultrasound, doctors discovered she was in septic shock due to an invasive group A streptococcal infection. This led to an emergency hysterectomy as the only viable option to save her life, with her uterus described as ‘mashed potatoes’ in consistency.

Alongside a hysterectomy, Sidhu received treatment for atypical pneumonia, leg cellulitis, and kidney failure. The infection source remains unidentified, though Sidhu suspects the membrane sweep initiated it.

Rebuilding Her Life After Surgery

After three weeks in the hospital, recovery continued at home with physiotherapy. She had to relearn basic motor skills and relied heavily on her husband and mother-in-law.

Though she worked to regain strength, Sidhu faces lasting effects: chronic pain, memory issues, anxiety, concentration problems, and post-sepsis syndrome. Her left leg is particularly troublesome, causing frequent falls.

‘I can’t play with my children as I once dreamed,’ Sidhu lamented. ‘My weakened body often hampers quality time.’

Sidhu now raises awareness of sepsis, something unknown to her previously. She uses the ‘TIME’ acronym: temperature; infection; mental decline; extremely ill—vital in identifying sepsis early.

Through her social media platforms (@thatsepsismom), Sidhu shares her journey, urging others to heed their instincts.

‘Surviving such an ordeal motivates me to spread awareness,’ Sidhu remarked. ‘If my story aids someone in recognizing sepsis, it’s worth the retelling.’

She calls for healthcare professionals to listen carefully to postpartum mothers. Recognizing their knowledge of their own bodies could prove life-saving.