Ilona Kazik and hudband Rafal had been trying to conceive for several years
A “beautiful” first-time mum tragically died from a severe brain bleed just days after giving birth to her baby son, whom she never had the chance to hold. Ilona Kazik, 32, experienced a major obstetric bleed mere hours after her first child, Antony, was born via caesarean section at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.
After five years of trying for a child with her husband Rafal, Ilona sadly never got to cradle her newborn baby. Working in a hospital herself, Ilona was diagnosed with high blood pressure the day before giving birth on Valentine’s Day 2023.
Despite being on medication, her condition deteriorated. Just hours post-delivery, she reported headaches, blurred vision and vomiting before becoming unresponsive.
A CT scan disclosed that the new mum had suffered a significant brain bleed and she was immediately rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. Doctors there could do nothing to save her and her life support was turned off on February 25 – 11 days after Antony’s birth.
Devastated husband Rafal, 43, is now demanding answers from hospital bosses ahead of an inquest into Ilona’s death, which is due to open on Monday, November 17. Rafal, of Luton, Bedfordshire, is also seeking legal action and has instructed medical negligence lawyers to investigate the care his “beautiful, fun and intelligent” wife received.
Rafal, a construction worker, who gave up work to care for Antony, said: “Ilona was a very loving person. She enjoyed caring for people and found joy in the simplest of things.
“She was artistic and used to enjoy gardening. She loved flowers, painting and designing things and took pride in our home.
“We’d been trying for a baby for around five years and were overjoyed when Ilona fell pregnant. Her pregnancy seemed to go smoothly.
“We were so excited to be welcoming Antony and starting a new chapter in our lives. I still struggle to come to terms with how she went into hospital to give birth and never came home.
“Ilona would have been an amazing mum and one of the hardest things to try and come to terms with is how she never got to hold Antony and that she will not see him grow up. It’s almost impossible to find the words to express how traumatic Ilona’s death has been and the impact it’s had on our family.
“Ilona meant the world to me and she also leaves behind an endless list of family and friends, all of whom are devastated by her death. Ilona was a beautiful soul, there was no bad in her, just a kind and caring person.
“While more than two years have passed, the devastation of losing Ilona – especially in the way we did – hasn’t eased. Our family will never be the same again and having so many unanswered questions adds to the hurt and pain I live with daily. I know the inquest and listening to the evidence is going to be upsetting, but it’s something I need to do, to gain a better understanding of the events that led to her death.”
Ilona had arrived at the maternity triage unit at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital shortly after midnight on February 13, 2023, after her waters broke at home. After being examined, she was discovered to have elevated blood pressure and was prescribed medication.
Her family said she was discharged at approximately 3am with instructions to return if she experienced any additional concerns. She visited hospital again later that afternoon reporting a headache and, they said, was discharged once more to return later that day for a scheduled induction of labour.
Ilona returned to hospital at roughly 10.30pm on February 13 for her scheduled induction of labour. Her blood pressure remained elevated.
Ilona had a caesarean section at approximately 5.35pm on February 14 and Antony was delivered in good condition. After receiving treatment for her obstetric haemorrhage, Ilona was moved to a recovery ward. Following a CT scan, which revealed Ilona had suffered a brain haemorrhage, she was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in the early hours of February 15 and passed away 10 days later.
Daniella Gregory, a specialist in medical negligence at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Rafal, said: “Attempting to try and come to terms with Ilona’s death has been incredibly difficult for Rafal and his family. They have a number of concerns about the circumstances leading up to Ilona’s death. What should have been one of the happiest times in their lives ended in tragedy.
“While nothing can bring Ilona back, the inquest is a major milestone in being able to provide the family with the answers they deserve. The family hope that this process will shed light on what happened and help them begin to heal.
“High blood pressure during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to serious complications if not treated appropriately. If the inquest identifies any issues in the care Ilona received, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve maternity safety.”
The inquest into Ilona’s death is set to commence at Lawrence Court in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Monday and is anticipated to last up to five days.
David Carter, the chief executive at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Luton and Dunstable Hospital, said: “The Trust is fully assisting HM Coroner with her enquiries. All involved at the Trust are deeply saddened by Ilona’s death and we continue to extend our heartfelt condolences to her family during this incredibly difficult time. We remain committed to learning from this tragic event and will carefully consider any lessons once all the evidence has been heard and the Coroner has reached her conclusion.”