A Utah woman has died from a rare heart condition just days after giving birth to twins, NBC News reports.
### Tragic Incident
Morgan Hughes, 23, of Benjamin, Utah, had always dreamed of becoming a mother. When she delivered her twins, a boy and a girl, on December 19, she and her husband were overjoyed.
However, things took a turn for the worse just nine days later. Hughes started feeling off, vomiting, and fainting. She later returned to the hospital, where doctors discovered fluid around her heart and diagnosed her with postpartum cardiomyopathy, also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy.
### Background on the Condition
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare but serious condition where the heart muscle weakens after pregnancy or around the time of delivery. While the exact cause is unknown, experts say several risk factors, including pregnancies with twins or older maternal age, may contribute to its development. Hughes had previously been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and was otherwise considered healthy.
It’s estimated to occur in around 1 in 2,000 live births, with Black women being at a higher risk. Dr. Patrick S. Ramsey, Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UT Health San Antonio in Texas, highlighted that the condition is increasing in frequency over the past few decades, but experts are unsure as to why this is the case.
### Memorial and Grieving Process
Shortly after her passing, hospital staff wheeled her twins from the NICU into her hospital room, placing them in her arms for a final goodbye. Hodson described his daughter as a caring, loving, and funny person who lived for her loved ones.
Since her passing, her husband and family have visited the twins, who are currently in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When asked about what he hopes her twins will take away from his wife’s loss, Hodson said, “I hope they grow up knowing how much she adored them. That’s all she wanted in life – to be a mom.”
## Conclusion
### A Devastating Loss for the Family and a Reminder to Improve Maternal Healthcare
The tragic loss of Morgan Hughes, a young Utah mother, has left her loved ones reeling. Her family’s story highlights the importance of raising awareness and improving maternal healthcare, particularly regarding rare conditions such as peripartum cardiomyopathy.
### FAQs:
#### Q: What is postpartum cardiomyopathy, also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy?
A: It’s a rare and serious condition that occurs when the heart muscle weakens after pregnancy or around the time of delivery.
#### Q: What are the risk factors for developing postpartum cardiomyopathy?
A: Multiple pregnancies, age 35 or older, pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, and other unspecified factors may increase the risk of developing the condition.
#### Q: How often does postpartum cardiomyopathy occur?
A: The condition is estimated to occur in around 1 in 2,000 live births, with Black women at a higher risk.
#### Q: What has been the experience of the patient’s family after her passing?
A: They have been through a devastating process, with their daughter’s premature passing leaving her husband and parents to grieve and care for their newborn twins.
