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.

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, Roisin said Temitope expressed difficulty breathing shortly after the procedure began.

Another family friend Tosin Gboyega, 61, from Croydon, described how Temitope was "numbed" before the operation.

They said that during the procedure, Temitope looked at Tony and uttered the heart-breaking words, "I can't breathe".

Tosin said Tony was then asked to move out while they tried to resuscitate his wife before coming back 14 minutes later to say she was unconscious.

Doctors planned to send her to St Thomas' Hospital ICU, with family members staying with Ethan while Tony planned to go with his wife.

However, before they were able to transfer her to the central London hospital, doctors revealed she had gone into cardiac arrest again and passed away, Tosin added.

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

DREAM OF MOTHERHOOD TAKEN AWAY

Roisin, 50, explained that Tony is not in a "fit state" to work and that this could pose financial difficulties for him and the family.

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

Tony and Temitope had been together for seven years, with the last two being as a married couple.

They shared a dream of building a life together as they prepared to welcome their first child.

Temitope's cause of death has yet to be fully established, with the family awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.

Maternal deaths during childbirth are exceptionally rare in the UK, with a rate of approximately six deaths per 100,000 live births, according to NHS figures.

Women who receive routine antenatal care and have no pre-existing medical conditions, like Temitope, are generally at very low risk, making her passing all the more shocking and difficult for her loved ones to comprehend.

Family and friends have set up a rota of support from the couple's community to care for baby Ethan.

The family is now faced with the daunting task of planning Temitope's funeral while ensuring Ethan has the stability and care he needs.

Temitope's family and community have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the funeral which can be donated to here: .

The funds will also be used to support Ethan.

Tosin added: "Temitope dreamed of being a mother - of cradling her child and singing him lullabies.

"Now that dream has been taken from her, and we must ensure her son grows up surrounded by the love and care she would have given him."