What began as a seemingly ordinary pregnancy symptom turned into a terrifying medical emergency for one new mother. Just a day after giving birth, she found herself on the operating table—fighting for her life.

Anne Darlaa, 31, opted for an elective C-section after learning her son was measuring at 8 pounds. The next day, she faced something she never expected: open-heart surgery.

Darlaa told Newsweek : "The day after my surgery, the nurses came to help me walk to the toilet. As soon as I tried to stand, everything went black, I suddenly collapsed and couldn’t breathe.

"I remember gasping for air and begging the nurse for oxygen. I was completely terrified."

Tests and a CT scan revealed a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in her heart —known as a pulmonary embolism.

"It was one of

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