'I was outside my body watching myself as I almost died in childbirth'

Wendy Powell, 50, had an out-of-body experience that changed her whole outlook on life

- LEBBY EYRES

'Like many first-time mums, I had a difficult labour when my daughter Ava was born. It took 28 hours, with me having gas and air and an epidural, and ended in a ventouse delivery. My husband lan, 52, and I were overjoyed when Ava finally arrived safely.

My placenta was delivered and lan, then 36, went back to our home in Cornwall to shower. Returning a few hours later, it was panic stations. I'd started to haemorrhage and my blood pressure was falling fast. I was being wheeled into surgery to have a dilation and curettage procedure.

Parts of the placenta had been left inside, causing the bleeding. One of the nurses later told me the surgeon had been "up to his elbows in me" to stop the haemorrhaging which was not an image I wanted.

I was shattered, emotionally and physically. I was a personal trainer who specialised in working with new mums. Yet I felt as though my own body had failed me.

Ava was born in October 2005 and shortly afterwards we moved from Guildford to Cornwall, which was a conscious lifestyle change. We quickly got pregnant again – there's only 20 months between the two.

This time, I was determined I'd "do it right”. I made sure I was as fit and strong as possible, re-read the baby books and had a positive mindset. I was told there was no reason to expect a haemorrhage again.

I started labour at home with two midwives from the local hospital in Truro by my side. Everything went according to plan, right up until the moment I delivered the baby.

I'd given birth naturally, without painkillers, and Stanley, now 14, instinctively started feeding. There was the joy of him being born safe and sound - then the mood in the room instantly darkened. A searing sensation filled my whole body. It was so vicious, and I was saying, "My back, my back" as I felt this unbelievable pain in my womb.