This archive report was first published on 14 June 2021.
From Pain to Purpose: Ashley Muteti's Journey ¶
June 14, 2021
Ashley Muteti, founder of the Zuri Nzilani Foundation, has been through a long and arduous journey with preeclampsia. In this interview, she shares with us the pain of losing her baby soon after birth and how she found purpose in helping other grieving mothers.
It all began in 2016 when Ashley got married and discovered she was pregnant just six months later. Her initial plan was to have her first baby after two years, but life had other plans. Everything seemed fine until the seventh month of pregnancy when Ashley started feeling unwell.
Her blood pressure was too high, and the doctor suggested an emergency delivery. However, Ashley and her partner opted for a second opinion, which led to a month-long hospital stay. The doctors finally diagnosed Ashley with preeclampsia, a condition characterized by hypertension in pregnancy.
Despite the challenges, Ashley gave birth to a premature baby named Zuri, who weighed just 1.2 kilograms. However, Zuri's condition took a turn for the worse when she developed Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a serious disease that affects the intestines. The baby's oxygen levels dropped to zero, and the doctors struggled to resuscitate her.
Tragically, Zuri passed away on the 16th day of her life. Ashley was devastated, and the pain of losing her baby was overwhelming. She recalls holding Zuri on her chest for five long hours, expecting her to come back to life, but it was too late.
However, Ashley's experience did not define her. She took time to heal and eventually found purpose in helping other grieving mothers. She started the Zuri Nzilani Foundation in her daughter's memory to train and support women who have suffered child loss.
Ashley's second pregnancy was also complicated by preeclampsia, but this time, the baby was saved. She is now two years old, and Ashley has finally found the strength to bond with her. The experience has given Ashley a new sense of purpose, and she is determined to help other women who may be going through similar struggles.
