25-year-old Tammy Nathan-Belk passed away only 10 days after giving birth to her fourth child via emergency c-section.

The Auckland mother was described as a ‘ray of sunshine’ by her family.

Her first three pregnancies with partner Troy Ruka had gone smoothly. After giving birth to her fourth child, she was told to rest at home so her stitches could properly heal. Sadly, she passed away after ten days.

Tania Belk, her mother, said to Stuff the death of her youngest daughter was devastating. “It’s so hard for us, we miss our beautiful girl being at home with us,” she expressed.

Ms. Belk also shared how her daughter’s health quickly deteriorated on the day she passed away.

“She was having pains in her stomach, so saw her local GP and was given painkillers. It all happened so fast from there, she was at home and was suddenly in agony,” she shared.

The mother-of-four passed away on her way to the hospital.

The devastated family was told that Nathan-Belk’s body had rejected the internal stitches from the procedure and she had also developed acute appendicitis.

A spokesperson for Counties Manukau Health said: “All serious events, including unexpected deaths, are investigated by the DHB and any maternal case is also reported to a national peri-natal mortality committee for independent review.”

The newborn baby was healthy but the father was left with four children all under the age of 10.

To help cover funeral costs and support the family, a fundraising page has been set up.

“I think suffering severe stomach pain within 10 days of caesarian would be immediate cause for hospitalisation, observation and tests. The family is right to ask questions. My heart goes out to the family left behind,” one internet user commented.

“A truly horrific story, that poor family. Awful thinking of everyone, that poor dad, lost his love, no time to grieve because of all the children. How very sad,” another wrote.

“This is so sad, my condolences to the family. This is really hard to fathom that you would have a reaction to stitches, and to get appendicitis at the same time,” a third said.

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