Sunshine Coast mum held newborn before dying of birth complications

The husband of a Sunshine Coast woman who died last month while giving birth has revealed details about her final moments.

Lauren Verona, 42, tragically died giving birth to her third daughter at 41 weeks of pregnancy, leaving her family and her community "devastated".

Before her death, Ryan Gaylard said his wife, who was a beloved yoga practitioner, "connected with our beautiful baby".

Lauren Verona died shortly after giving birth to her newborn
Lauren Verona died shortly after giving birth to her third daughter last month. Source: Instagram

"They had skin-to-skin touch as Lauren held Lucinda," Mr Gaylard said, according to Seven News.

"They heard each other’s sounds and Lucinda, strong as ever, lifted her head to allow connection with their eyes."

Ms Verona gave birth at home on June 8, and according to her husband, it was a "perfect natural birth".

"Using everything we have learnt from our hypnobirthing course, Lauren composed herself perfectly, calmly breathing her baby into this world," he said, according to ABC.

But complications arose after giving birth and her condition rapidly deteriorated. She was rushed to the hospital where she later died.

Mum suffered 'rare condition'

Ms Verona's cause of death is still under investigation, but hospital staff said she suffered from a rare condition known as an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE).

This occurs when amniotic fluid or foetal material enters the maternal bloodstream – but it had nothing to do with home birth, Mr Gaylard said.

"There is little research into this condition as it doesn't occur often ... it's as rare as hen's teeth," Mr Gaylard said.

"No matter where Lauren birthed Lucinda, horrifyingly, the result would have been the same."

The baby girl is a healthy and happy baby, according to her dad, and she's benefitting from breast milk reportedly donated by friends and strangers.

Before her last breath, Ms Verona "knew Lucinda was OK and perfect", her husband said.

"I was with her when the doctors had exhausted all efforts and we had our last moments before saying farewell for now.

"The universe had a higher plan for our beloved Lauren"

Mum's last posts before tragedy

In the lead up to her death, the mum of three detailed her struggle with pregnancy.

"These last few weeks and months if I’m honest have been very challenging with the countless pregnancy complications I’ve had," she said in her last Instagram post.

Ms Verona previously said she'd experienced "intensive pelvic girdle pain I can’t express into words". She also detailed her low lying placenta.

On May 6, after a 36 week scan, she wrote on Instagram that her obstetrician, who was about to convince her to have a caesarean section, told her she was free to go home and birth naturally.

Following her death, a statement from the family read: "We are devastated, on behalf of Ryan, Allira, Evie and their families, to let you know that our beloved, inspiring, shining light Lauren passed away due to complications after giving birth to her beautiful, healthy, thriving baby girl, Lucinda Lauren Elizabeth Gaylard."

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