Kimberley Sidhu, a 29-year-old mother from Alberta, Canada, found herself in a life-threatening situation after the birth of her second child in May 2024. Despite experiencing a difficult pregnancy with severe morning sickness that affected her ability to work, she and her husband were looking forward to the arrival of their baby.
In the days leading up to her due date, Sidhu underwent a membrane sweep, a procedure intended to induce labor. However, soon after the procedure, she noticed unusual green discharge. Doubting herself, she consulted her husband, who contacted their midwife. They were assured that as long as the baby was active, there was no cause for alarm.
Sidhu’s daughter was born on May 26, 2024, but Sidhu’s condition quickly deteriorated. She experienced shaking, purple extremities, and intense cold, despite multiple blankets and heating pads. Over the next few days, she developed severe pelvic pain, nausea, and left leg numbness.
“I thought I was struggling more with this birth than my first,” Sidhu stated. “I blamed myself, assuming I was not recovering well.”
Sidhu reported her symptoms, including a fever, to her midwife, who attributed them to hormonal changes. When her extreme pain persisted, Sidhu was told it was due to her body readjusting postpartum. Her midwife did not seem concerned, leaving Sidhu unsure if her worries were valid.
Three days after delivery, Sidhu was informed that her symptoms could be linked to her milk coming in. Desperate for relief and not improving, she sought further medical attention after her left leg became completely numb.
From Recovery to Medical Emergency
Sidhu’s worsening symptoms led her to insist on hospital tests. Tests including an ECG and lung ultrasound surprised doctors and resulted in her admission for monitoring. It was revealed she was in septic shock due to an invasive group A streptococcal infection.
Needed to save her life, an emergency hysterectomy was performed to eliminate the infection source. Her uterus had become so degraded that surgeons compared its consistency to mashed potatoes.
Besides the emergency surgery, Sidhu was treated for atypical pneumonia, leg cellulitis, and kidney failure. While the exact cause of the infection remains uncertain, Sidhu speculates the membrane sweep could have been a contributing factor.
Rebuilding Her Life After Surgery
Following a three-week hospital stay, Sidhu faced a lengthy recovery, including a year of physiotherapy to relearn walking. Her husband and mother-in-law have been a pillar of support during this challenging period.
Despite efforts to regain strength, Sidhu experiences ongoing issues, including left leg weakness, chronic pain, memory problems, and post-sepsis syndrome. She struggles with activities like running after her children or taking long walks.
“I feel guilt when physical weakness affects time with my children,” she shared with Newsweek.
Sidhu is now dedicated to raising awareness about sepsis, having previously been unaware of its warning signs. These can be remembered using the “TIME” acronym: temperature, infection, mental decline, and feeling extremely ill.
Using social media to chronicle her journey (@thatsepsismom on TikTok), Sidhu shares her story hoping others will recognize sepsis signs sooner.
“Surviving this ordeal was remarkable, and I want to help others by sharing my experience,” Sidhu said.
She emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers taking new mothers’ concerns seriously, as it can be critical for preventing life-threatening situations.