'Thumbs up, then she was gone'
A father has spoken of his anguish at losing his fiancee as she gave birth to their first child.
Safety Bay Senior High School teacher Kymberlie Shepherd died last Thursday of an amniotic fluid embolism - a rare complication that occurs 6.1 times in every 100,000 deliveries.
Wayde Kelly said one minute he was holding his fiancee's hand as she gave him the thumbs up and the next minute she was gone.
"None of the doctors there had ever seen this happen - we are all just in complete disbelief and shock," he said.
Mr Kelly said Miss Shepherd never even had a chance to hold her son Kyden.
Wayde Kelly with his newborn son Kyden.
Safety Bay Senior High School students have set up a fund with the aim to raise $100,000 in memory of the "inspirational" teacher.
Click here to to donate to Wayde and Kyden Kelly
The students are being supported in their fundraising efforts by the South Perth Rugby League Club, where Mr Kelly was a member.
The school's cheer squad has so far raised $5,070 with students taking to Facebook to pay tribute to their "beautiful" and "kind" teacher.
Donna Lalich said Ms Kelly's death left many dance students in the area shattered.
"Our hearts go out to her dear baby, partner and all of her friends and family. Dance among the stars beautiful girl," she wrote.
"I'm going to miss her so much xx she was taken from us way to early xx she's truly the most amazing person ever!!" wrote Taleisha Ballard.
Mr Kelly told the Gold Coast Bulletin he would be returing to his home State of Queensland to raise Kyden, who he said was become his focus in pulling through the crisis.
"Kymmy’s freckly and I’ve got brown hair and fair skin, so she was concerned he might be a ranga but he’s a little blondie with big blue eyes," he said.
"I know everybody tells everyone they’ve got a cute baby but he goes all right."
Kymberlie Shepherd and Wayde Kelly in happier times.
