Mum, 32, died just minutes after giving birth while uttering heartbreaking final words – leaving dad to raise baby alone

A MUM died just minutes after giving birth while uttering her heartbreaking final words leaving her husband to raise the baby alone.

Temitope Elizabeth Soneye Iwute, 32, went into cardiac arrest shortly after giving birth to baby Ethan Iwute via c-section.

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The mum did not even get the chance to hold her child before she passed, her family said.

They added that she had told husband Tony Iwute, 47, "I can't breathe" before she died, despite the best efforts of staff at Croydon University Hospital in London.

Tony, a railway worker on a zero hours contract, said the community has rallied round to support the family.

The widower from Croydon added: "I am a broken man - I still don't understand what has happened it's totally devastating."

Temitope was at Croydon University Hospital for a routine checkup at 1pm on January 19 when she mentioned experiencing abdominal pain.

Doctors decided the safest option for delivery was to perform a c-section that same day, according to friends - her baby had a due date of January 23.

She was then moved to an operating theatre at 6pm and everything appeared to be proceeding as planned, said family friend Roisin Kushoro.

However, shortly after the procedure began, she expressed difficulty breathing, she said.

Another family friend Tosin Gboyega, 61, from Croydon, said: "She was moved to theatre to have the c-section. She was numbed before having the operation.

"It seemed to go fine but then she looked at Tony and said 'I can't breathe'."

Tony was asked to move out and they tried to resuscitate Temitope, and 14 minutes later they came back and said she's unconscious, Tosin said.

Doctors planned to send her to St Thomas' hospital ICU.

Family members stayed with Ethan, while Tony planned to go with his wife, however before they were able to transfer her, doctors revealed she had gone into cardiac arrest again and passed away despite the medical teams best efforts to resuscitate her, said Tosin.

Temitope had recently completed her master's degree in digital marketing at York St John University and was eagerly anticipating her graduation in March.

Roisin, 50, said: "If Tony he doesn't work he doesn't get paid, but he's not in fit state to work.

"Instead of looking forward, he has become a single dad. It is completely unexpected."

Temitope and Tony, had been together for seven years, and married for two, sharing dreams of building a life together as they prepared to welcome their first child.

The cause of Temitope's death has not been fully established, they say, with the family awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.

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