Lindsay Cook

I survived sepsis. I caught it during the birth of my baby girl Dorothy. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) It was the most terrifying experience of my life.

I woke after being taken to the ward with my new baby and had a horrendous temperature- I felt like I was on fire, I was dripping with sweat, my head pounded and I was so dizzy. I rang for the midwife and she instantly took my temp and blood pressure which was very low. I spent next 5 days on antibiotics fighting the infection, on fluids to hydrate me and with a catheter due to the Caesarian. My baby also had a trace of it so she had to have the antibiotics too.

I was a first time mum, struggling with sepsis and trying to breastfeed whilst been pumped with antibiotics. Looking back I find it so hard to think about. Even after leaving hospital I was weak, emotional, mentally exhausted and the bruises on my arms from all the canulas  were immense- A reminder of the experience.

I am currently undergoing counselling for PTSD due to this occurrence and it is not something to underestimate. (Sepsis and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
I still beat myself up and I feel weak for having the PTSD but I am working through it every day.
I lived and so did my baby, this is a true blessing and something to be proud of.
I didn’t know anything about sepsis until I got it. Now I’m slowly recovering and am proud of what I have achieved. Writing this has been so very difficult but I had to share my story.