A 25-year-old woman fell ill and died just days after giving birth to her first child.
Francesca Basile was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant last March.
She welcomed a baby boy, Marco, on Christmas Eve.
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Francesca was discharged from hospital on 28 December after receiving a blood transfusion for anaemia. No other complications were reported and she returned home.
However on 3 January, she began suffering chest and back pain, accompanied by a slight fever, and the emergency services were called to help.
Five days later, last Thursday (8 Jan) night, she collapsed and died at her home in the coastal city of Taranto in Apulia, southern Italy.
The Taranto Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into her death, following a complaint against persons unknown, filed by Francesca’s devastated family.
Francesca, who worked as an insurance consultant, had documented her pregnancy on social media, as reported by Need To Know.
In November, she wrote: “I’ve always loved children, the idea of family and the peace that comes with a happy life…
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of this pregnancy, never fearing the extra kilos, even though that’s always been a worry of mine.
“I tried to avoid arguments and toxic people, because I promised myself that nothing and no one would spoil these moments of ours.
“And every time the gynaecologist told me, ‘What a happy baby – he’s always moving, which means he’s content’, it was my greatest joy.”
She added: “I don’t know if I’ll be a good mum – that’s something no one can teach you – but I promise I’ll do my very best.
“I’ll teach you values, respect, trust and humility, and I’ll always try to make sure you never lack anything.
“Whether you’re a lively baby who hardly sleeps or a calm one doesn’t matter to me. What will always matter is your health and your happiness.”
After Marco’s birth, she wrote: “I knew I’d become a mum the moment no pain could outweigh the emotion I felt when you opened your eyes and looked at us.
“Welcome to the world – our everything.”
The cause of her death is under investigation.
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