Young mum died from diabetes she didn't know she had

A 26-year-old died from undetected diabetes just months after giving birth to her first child, and in the midst of planning her wedding.

She’d blamed her symptoms on tiredness from taking care of her newborn.

Mark and Nicola (PA)

Nicola Rigby was just 26 when fiancé Mark Wilson, now 29, found her unconscious, surrounded by black vomit, at their home in the Wirral in July 2012. Mark attempted CPR but was unable to save his bride-to-be.

Mark and Nicola’s family later discovered that she had shown all the symptoms of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, including tiredness and weight loss. She’d never been tested for the condition because they thought she was just exhausted and dropping baby weight following her pregnancy.

Heartbroken Mark is now sharing Nicola’s story in a bid to help other new mums be aware of the condition and request diabetic testing if they are in any doubt over their health.

Nicola and Mark on holiday in Florida 2009 (PA)

Mark says: “Nicky kept saying she couldn’t wait to be a mum, and we were so excited when we found out she was pregnant. Then I decided to ask her to marry me and when she said yes I felt like all our dreams were coming true.”

In February 2012 Nicola gave birth to their little girl, Lily.

Nicky loved being a mum, despite the sleepless nights leaving her feeling exhausted, and looking pale and drawn. Concerned, Mark took her to see a doctor who gave Nicola iron tablets, but they didn’t help her feel any better.

Just after Lily was born (PA)

Mark says: “She didn’t want anyone fussing over her. She said that all mums get tired like she was.”

And rather than wallow, Nicola pushed how she was feeling to the back of her mind and started planning her big day for July 2014.

She ate healthily and quickly dropped dress sizes ahead of her wedding dress shopping.

Nicola dismissed her symptoms as part and parcel of being a new mum (PA)

On Mark’s birthday in the July, when Lily was 5 months old, Nicola began complaining of a stomach bug. And the following evening she had an early night while Mark went out with friends.

He explains: “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 that Nicky could have a rest.”

Later, Mark’s friend drove him home and he put his head round the bedroom door to see how his fiancée was doing.

Nicola was suffering from weight loss and extreme tiredness (PA)

“I switched on the light and saw she was surrounded by black vomit.”

Nicola had passed away and an inquest held that November found she’d had undetected diabetes.

The coroner found Nicola had died of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is what happens when a diabetic needs insulin and can’t get it. Her oesophagus had rotted, which explained why her vomit had been black. Nicola could have been saved by something as simple as insulin injections.

Nicola was given iron tablets by a doctor (PA)

Mark was left to bring up their daughter Lily on his own. He put photos of Nicola up all over the house and started making a memory box that Lily, now two, can look through when she’s older.

He included in it the gold heart necklace he gave Nicola on their first anniversary and her diamond engagement ring.

Mark wants to make sure new mums aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes.

He says: “Nicola wanted to be a mum so badly and now she’s not around to watch her daughter grow up. Please don’t battle on through exhaustion like my brave Nicky tried to do.”

Lily on her first birthday (PA)

The main symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes are passing urine more often than usual, increased thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss, slow healing of wounds and blurred vision.

Go to Diabetes UK for more information.