‘Baby Tommy’s here, Chelsea’s not’: First-time mum dies in childbirth

• Maternal cardiac arrest during labour can occur unexpectedly even in apparently low-risk pregnancies, highlighting the importance of maintaining high clinical vigilance throughout labour and delivery.
• Early recognition and prompt resuscitation protocols are critical in obstetric emergencies; perimortem caesarean section should be considered within 4 minutes of cardiac arrest to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
• All maternity units should ensure staff are trained in advanced life support and obstetric-specific emergency management, as sudden peripartum complications can be fatal despite uncomplicated antenatal courses.

Chelsea McGillivray, from Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, fell into cardiac arrest during labour after what was believed to be a textbook pregnancy.

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