In December 2015, 31-year-old Ella Clarke, from Devon, England, was about to have her eighth child — a baby girl. Because she had a condition called placenta previa, also known as a low-lying placenta, she had to undergo a c-section. However, given that she had already had six c-sections, she wasn’t concerned.
She was put to sleep for her scheduled c-section and awoke six days later to find that both of her legs had been amputated below the knee.
About 30 minutes into her c-section, the placenta- which had embedded itself too deeply into her uterine wall (known as placenta accreta)- caused massive hemorrhaging. Because of the hemorrhaging, the doctors had to perform an emergency hysterectomy and also gave her five blood transfusions. She was placed in a medically induced coma and her daughter, Winter Rose, was delivered safely.
However, Clarke was supposed to be monitored every hour for blood clotting while she was in the coma. When six hours (allegedly) passed without her being checked on, blood in her legs clotted, stopping circulation and depriving her lower limbs of blood supply. The costly mistake was caught too late to save her limbs.
Surgeons tried to restore circulation but were forced to amputate both legs to save her life. Baby Center reports that Clarke spoke with the Daily Mail, saying, “I remember the moment I woke up. I thought I was waking up from my c-section. I expected my beautiful little baby girl to be passed to me. I had no idea I’d been in a coma.”
The hospital apologized for its mistake and are conducting a thorough investigation but Ella Clarke now has a wheelchair and prosthetic legs- all because of a medical oversight.
Our heart goes out to her and her family as they adjust to their new life.
Source: Baby Center
