A Life-Saving Delivery for a First-Time Mom

A Salem County native now living in Elmer, Kelly Caltabiano was preparing to welcome her first child in August 2023. Her pregnancy had been smooth and low-risk, and as she arrived at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill for a scheduled induction, she was excited and at ease.

At the time, she worked as a nurse on the mother/baby unit at Mullica Hill, and she felt safe in her colleagues’ hands. “I felt very comfortable being surrounded by my coworkers and people that I know,” said Kelly.

That sense of comfort would soon become critical.

When Seconds Matter

After two days of induction, Kelly was ready to deliver. But just moments before she began pushing, something didn’t feel right. “All of a sudden, my heart was pounding out of my chest … I knew that wasn’t normal,” she recalled.

Drawing on her clinical experience, Kelly quickly alerted her care team. Within moments, she lost consciousness. What followed was a rare and life-threatening emergency: an amniotic fluid embolism that required immediate, coordinated action.

Kelly was rushed into surgery for an emergency C-section. Her daughter, Elena, was delivered quickly but needed respiratory support. At the same time, Kelly’s condition rapidly worsened. She developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a severe complication affecting the body’s ability to clot blood.

A Team That Showed Up

That day, an extraordinary thing happened: nearly the entire obstetrics team was already on-site. “Every single one of the doctors was there on the unit for a meeting, and almost all of them were in the OR helping,” Kelly said.

From obstetricians and surgeons to pediatric specialists and nurses, a multidisciplinary team mobilized instantly—working together to stabilize both Kelly and her baby. “They saved my life and my daughter’s life, and I’m forever grateful,” she said.

Even while unconscious, Kelly remembers her team's presence. “It was like I was watching from the corner of my room. I wasn’t awake, but I could hear my coworkers around me. Everyone was just very loving and made me feel like I wasn’t a burden,” she said.

A Long Road to Recovery

After delivery, Kelly required intensive care, including a life-saving hysterectomy. Her recovery was both physical and emotional. “It was really tough coming to terms with having the hysterectomy,” she shared.

Throughout her recovery, Kelly leaned on a strong support system consisting of her care team, her family and a fellow patient who experienced a similar complication.

Thriving Today

Today, Kelly’s daughter Elena is a happy, energetic toddler. “I am so happy to see her thriving and being so smart and healthy. It’s the best,” Kelly said. That joy is paired with deep gratitude for the care she received close to home. “I praise my care team up and down. Whenever someone asks for recommendations, I’m like, go to Inspira,” she said.

Kelly now shares her story to encourage others—especially new parents navigating unexpected challenges. “Don’t be afraid to reach out for assistance, especially when it comes to mental health. There are support groups and people who understand,” she said.

For Kelly, Inspira represents more than a hospital; it’s a community of caregivers who showed up when it mattered most.