Marisa Christie shared her hospital experience in an interview with Today, where she disclosed encountering a rare complication after giving birth.
Christie went through a rare and serious condition called amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). As explained by the AFE Foundation, AFE occurs when the amniotic fluid, which surrounds the baby in the womb during pregnancy, enters the mother’s bloodstream after childbirth, triggering an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions to amniotic fluid entering the mother’s bloodstream during birth are rare, occurring in only 2.5 out of every 100,000 births or approximately 1 in 40,000 in the United States.
During the delivery of the triplets, Dr. Amber Samuel successfully delivered them, but it was Dr. Ricardo Mora, the anesthesiologist, who observed Christie experiencing seizures. He recalled having previously witnessed a case of Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE).
“It’s quite catastrophic. When it happens, the fatality rate is around 80 to 85 percent,” Mora explained to Today. “I inquired about Dr. Samuel’s actions, and she informed me that she had just begun removing the placenta, which is typically when this separation between the placenta and uterus occurs.”
Christie’s breathing ceased, and her pulse vanished while the medical professionals initiated CPR. Subsequently, she was connected to an ECMO machine, which assists in managing the functions of the heart and lungs, allowing her body to recuperate with less strain.
According to the expert, ensuring sufficient blood flow to the brain is crucial for saving a person’s life and preventing brain damage. He emphasized the personal significance of this task, as he wanted the individual to survive and be able to raise their children.
After being in a state of unconsciousness for a whole week, she finally regained consciousness and was informed about the arrival of her three beautiful triplet daughters: Kendall, Collins, and Charlotte.
Christie was filled with fear and confusion when her husband informed her about the birth of their babies. She couldn’t comprehend how she had no recollection of the momentous event.
Meeting my children for the first time when they were just a couple of days old felt incredibly strange. As a mother, I longed for that precious bonding time that most mothers get to experience right after birth. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that opportunity.
“I recall having a peculiar thought at that moment: ‘I don’t recognize these infants. It feels odd, almost as if they’re not genuine. It’s as though they don’t belong to me,” she expressed. “Establishing a bond with them took some time.'”
The doctors made sure to keep the babies close to Christie even when she was unconscious to strengthen their bond.
“They were able to sense that I was their mother,” she explained. “They react to me when I speak to them, unlike when others do.”
Christie and the triplets have safely returned home and she expresses her gratitude for getting through the ordeal. She acknowledges the rarity of such situations, but emphasizes that it can happen. Christie recognizes the numerous miracles that occurred, ensuring her survival rather than succumbing to death. She and her family are filled with immense gratitude for this outcome.
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