New mum Zoe McGroarty’s experience after giving birth is a shocking reminder to trust your instincts! After welcoming baby Daisy in April 2023, Zoe felt what she described as an “icy blast” coursing through her body just two days later. Initially shrugged off by a doctor as just the flu, it was only after a harrowing series of symptoms including an excruciating shoulder pain that the true cause was revealed—deadly blood clots caused by sepsis.
Zoe, 32, a full-time mum from near Bath, had her concerns dismissed multiple times. First, her initial symptoms were put down to holding her newborn, and later, her severe pain was mistaken for lingering effects of sepsis. But a persistent Zoe sought an in-person appointment, where the severity of her condition—a staggering six DVTs in her right arm—was finally acknowledged.
Now on lifelong blood thinners, Zoe shares her journey to raise awareness. “Having more children is out of the question,” she reveals, citing her deeply traumatising ordeal. “From the start, I knew it wasn’t just flu,” she insists, reminding us all to trust our gut and push for answers when we know something isn’t right.
Zoe’s experience shows how sepsis symptoms can be easily mistaken for other minor issues. For her, the difference between life and death was persistence. “It’s frightening to think how it could have ended. I’m grateful to be here,” Zoe says. Her message is clear: Listen to your body and advocate for your health because it can make all the difference.
Let Zoe’s story be a powerful testament—trust your instincts and speak up when you feel something is wrong. You know your body better than anyone! 💪 #TrustYourGut #SepsisAwareness #HealthAdvocate
