A young mother has tragically passed away without ever getting to hold her newborn son, following a catastrophic brain haemorrhage just days after his birth.
A Long-Awaited Joy Turns to Tragedy
Ilona Kazik, aged 32, and her husband Rafal had spent five years trying for a child. Their dream was finally realised when Ilona fell pregnant, and they were overjoyed at the prospect of welcoming their first child, a son named Antony.
Ilona, who worked in a hospital herself, was admitted to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital after her waters broke. The day before giving birth on Valentine's Day 2023, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and given medication.
Despite this treatment, her condition deteriorated. After a caesarean section delivered baby Antony in good health, Ilona began complaining of severe headaches, blurred vision, and vomiting. She soon became unresponsive.
Critical Care and Devastating Outcome
A CT scan revealed the new mother had suffered a major obstetric bleed on the brain. She was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for specialist care.
Tragically, doctors concluded that nothing could be done to save her. Her life support was switched off on February 25, 2025, just eleven days after her son was born.
Her devastated husband, Rafal Kazik, 43, is now seeking answers from hospital bosses. He has instructed medical negligence lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care his wife received.
A Family's Unimaginable Loss
Rafal described his wife as a "beautiful, fun and intelligent" soul who found joy in simple things like gardening, painting, and designing. He said, "Ilona would have been an amazing mum and one of the hardest things to try and come to terms with is how she never got to hold Antony."
He has given up his work in construction to care for their son full-time. Rafal added that having so many unanswered questions adds to the daily pain and that he hopes the upcoming inquest will provide clarity.
Daniella Gregory, the specialist medical negligence lawyer representing the family, emphasised that high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to serious complications if not managed appropriately. She stated that the inquest is a vital step for the family to understand what happened and to ensure lessons are learned.
An inquest into Ilona's death is scheduled to begin at Lawrence Court in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and is expected to last up to five days.
David Carter, Chief Executive at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, expressed that the Trust is fully assisting the coroner and remains deeply saddened by Ilona's death, extending condolences to her family.
