First time mum Ilona Kazik dies before getting the chance to hold son after years of trying for a baby

A mother passed away before getting the chance to hold her baby son - suffering a bleed on the brain just days after giving birth. After five years of trying for a child with husband, Rafal, “beautiful” 32-year-old Ilona Kazik was diagnosed with high blood pressure the day before giving birth to Antony via caesarean section at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, on Valentine’s Day 2023.

However, just hours later, she suffered a major obstetric bleed - and despite medication, she never got to cradle her son. The diagnosis came when Ilona, hours after the delivery, complained of headaches, blurred vision and vomiting, eventually becoming unresponsive.

A CT scan revealed the mum had suffered a major brain bleed and she was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge - but doctors said nothing could be done to save her. Tragically, her life support was switched off on February 25 - 11 days after Antony’s birth.

Devastated 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). Construction worker Rafal, of Luton, is also seeking legal action and has instructed medical negligence lawyers to investigate the care his "beautiful, fun and intelligent" wife received.

“Ilona and I met on separate holidays in Egypt in 2016 and we hit it off straight away,” he said. "She was beautiful, fun and intelligent. Everything just seemed to click. 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.”

But he said the tragedy that unfolded had left him struggling, adding: "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.”

Thankfully, Antony was born healthy, but the family has been devastated by the incident, said Daniella Gregory, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Rafal.

“Attempting to try and come to terms with Ilona’s death has been incredibly difficult for Rafal and his family,” she said. “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 due to start at Lawrence Court in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Monday and is expected to last up to five days.

David Carter, chief executive at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs 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.”