- Nicky Rigby was discovered unconscious by fiancé Mark Wilson in July 2012
- Had given birth to daughter Lily five months earlier and ‘loved being a mum’
- In months after had suffered tiredness, weight loss and frequent urination
- But shop worker had blamed symptoms on being a busy new mum
- Inquest revealed she had undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes, which killed her
- Condition was so severe it had rotted her oesophagus, coroner said
- Her death could have been prevented with diagnosis and insulin injections
- Mr Wilson, 29, is now trying to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes
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A new mother died from undiagnosed diabetes just five months after giving birth, having blamed the symptoms on the stresses of her new baby
Nicky Rigby, 26, was found unconscious surrounded in pools of vomit in July 2012 by her fiance Mark.
Despite beginning CPR and calling an ambulance, the 29-year-old was unable to save his bride-to-be.
Nicky Rigby, 26, died just five months after giving birth to daughter Lily from diabetes she never knew she had –
Her family later discovered she had many symptoms of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes – including tiredness and weight loss – but had blamed them on the exhaustion of being a new mum and losing weight after childbirth
WHAT IS DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS?
Consistently high blood glucose levels can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
This happens when a severe lack of insulin means the body cannot use glucose for energy, and the body starts to break down other body tissue as an alternative energy source.
Ketones are the by-product of this process. Ketones are poisonous chemicals which build up and, if left unchecked, and will cause the body to become acidic – hence the name ‘acidosis’.
Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can cause potentially fatal complications, such as severe dehydration, coma and swelling of the brain.
An inquest later heard Miss Rigby had suffered from Type 1 diabetes which had gradually rotted her oesophagus.
Her family later discovered she had shown all the
symptoms of the condition – including tiredness and
weight loss -Â but never been tested for the condition.
Instead, she had blamed them on exhaustion and losing baby weight, having birth to daughter Lily five months earlier.
The coroner concluded that she died of diabetic
ketoacidosis, which occurs when a diabetic does not get the insulin they need.
It is not clear how long she had suffered from the condition, or if it was triggered by the pregnancy.
Her devastated fiance Mark Wilson is now sharing her story in a bid to make other new mothers aware of the condition and request diabetic testing if they have any of the symptoms.
The 29-year-old from Wirral, Cheshire, said: ‘Nicky was a natural with Lily, cuddling and feeding her.
‘She loved being a mum, despite the sleepless nights leaving her feeling exhausted.’
Concerned she was looking pale and drawn, he took her to a doctor who prescribed iron tablets.
‘They didn’t help, but but did she didn’t
want anyone fussing over her,’ recalls Mr Wilson. ‘She just said that
all mums get tired like she was.
Her devastated fiance Mark Wilson is now sharing her story in a bid to make other new mothers aware of the condition
‘Nicky was a natural with Lily, cuddling and feeding her,’ said Mr Wilson (pictured left on holiday in 2009). ‘She loved being a mum, despite the sleepless nights leaving her feeling exhausted’
Concerned that Miss Rigby was looking pale and drawn in the months after Lily’s birth, Mr Wilson took her to a doctor who prescribed iron tablets, which failed to help
DIABETES: THE SYMPTOMS
Around 300,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes, which is distinct from the much more common type 2 version of the disease.
The main symptoms of diabetes that are common to type 1 and type 2 are:
Feeling
very thirsty, urinating frequently – particularly at night, feeling
very tired, weight loss and loss of muscle bulk (in type 1 diabetes)
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop quickly, over weeks or even days.
Other symptoms include:
Itchiness around the vagina or penis, or regular bouts of thrush (a yeast infection),
Blurred vision that is caused by the lens of your eye changing shape
Cramp, skin infections
Vomiting
or heavy, deep breathing can also occur at a later stage. This is a
dangerous sign and requires immediate admission to hospital for
treatment.
‘Rather than wallowing, pushed how rubbish she felt to the back of her mind and started planning the big day.’
Facing
the pressure of wedding dress shopping, Nicola decided to start watching
her weight and found she quickly dropped dresses sizes.
But in July 2012, on Mr Wilson’s birthday, Miss Rigby began complaining of a stomach bug.
The following evening she decided to have an early night whilst Mark went out with friends.
Mr Wilson said: ‘Nicky wasn’t feeling great and insisted I go and enjoy
myself. I kissed her goodbye then took Lily round to my mum’s house so Nicky could have a rest.’
Hours later, he returned him home and he put his head round the bedroom door to see how his fiancé was doing – and was horrifed by what he saw.
‘I decided to switch on the light to see if Nicky was OK – and then saw she was surrounded by black vomit.’
After dialling 999 he began CPR, but she failed to respond.
‘Soon after, the paramedics arrived and I heard one of them say Nicola had passed away.
After his wife’s death, Mr Wilson said: ‘All I could think was Nicky had wanted to be a mum so much and now she wasn’t going to get to see our little girl grow up’
An inquest later heard Miss Rigby’s death in July 2012 could have been prevented with simple insulin injections to control her blood sugar. Lily (right) is now two and her father wants to raise awareness of diabetes
‘All I could think was Nicky had wanted to be a mum so much and now she wasn’t going to get to see our little girl grow up.’
An inquest later heard Miss Rigby’s death could have been prevented with simple insulin injections to control her blood sugar.
Lily is now two and Mr Wilson is desperate to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.
‘Please don’t battle on through exhaustion like my brave Nicky tried to do’ he said,
Determined that Lily will know her mother, he has put up photos of her all over the house and made a memory box of her that they can look through together.
Inside is the gold heart necklace he gave Miss on their first anniversary and her diamond engagement ring.
‘I want Lily to look at the pictures of her mum know she was a brilliant, fun person,’ he said.
For more information after diabetes, go to www.diabetes.org.uk or call the Diabetes UK Careline 0345 123 2399.
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