Inquest opens into 'heartbreaking' death of mum-of-four

The partner of a mother who died after complications during childbirth has paid tribute to her as a "wonderfully loving mother" ahead of an inquest into her death.

Bonnie Macey, 38, died at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill in February 2025 shortly after giving birth to twins via emergency caesarean section.

The inquest, which began at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking on Tuesday, will examine the care she received before her death.

The coroner's court heard how Macey had been taken to hospital after starting to feel unwell, at which point it was found that one of the babies was experiencing difficulties.

On the evening of 15 February, having started bleeding while at hospital after initially complaining of stomach pain, a decision was made to take Macey to an operating theatre to perform an emergency c-section.

Very soon after being given a general anaesthetic, Macey started to "vomit profusely", according to Dr Eleanor De La Hunt, the consultant obstetrician on call.

The court heard that Bonnie's airway became blocked and attempts to insert a tube to provide air initially failed, leading to her being without oxygen for a number of minutes.

She also suffered a cardiac arrest, and was declared brain dead on 22 February, 2025.

Dr Michael Powers KC, representing Macey's family, questioned De La Hunt about whether she had been given information about her suffering stomach pain before she started bleeding, which De La Hunt said she "did not recall being told".

Asked whether knowing more about her condition would have sped up Macey's treatment, she said: "Perhaps I would have made a decision to go a few minutes earlier to theatre. But I don't think it would have made a difference to Bonnie or the girls."

Her partner Tom Shipman, who is now raising the couple's four children, paid tribute to Macey as "the most wonderfully loving mother", saying he is seeking answers about how she died.

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "Bonnie was a bundle of energy. She had the most infectious smile. She always wanted twins, so she was absolutely over the moon when we heard.

"To see your best friend like that is truly heartbreaking."

The inquest into her death is expected to last until Friday.

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