Atlanta mother defies odds after near-death experience during childbirth

ATLANTA — Editor’s Note: The video above is from the original report on Niesha and Ayah.

Niesha Alexander didn’t remember being pregnant when she woke up after suffering an amniotic fluid embolism.

The condition is a rare and catastrophic complication of pregnancy in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair or other debris enter the maternal pulmonary circulation, causing cardiovascular collapse, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Her family says the joyous occasion of her daughter Ayah’s birth turned into a horrible nightmare when they learned what had happened. Doctors at Piedmont Cartersville had not seen an amniotic fluid embolism in 30 years at the hospital and were shocked at Niesha’s bedside.

After giving birth in 2021, Piedmont Cartersville Perinatal Services Director Kelly Costner said, “I’ve had three amniotic fluid embolisms in my career, and she’s the only one I’ve known to survive.”

Her family claims that she survived because she had an epileptic seizure at the time of her daughter’s birth, and that the force of the event contributed to her daughter’s birth. Miraculously, Ayah survived without any injuries.

However, it was a more difficult road for Niesha, who had to relearn how to do everything from walk and talk to hold her baby.

When Niesha woke up, she had lost ten years of memories and had to learn how to live again. Her mother, Andrea James, and her sister, Whitney Smith, were by Niesha’s side every step of the way.

“She has always been a fighter and my strength. She managed to get therapy and started enjoying her little girl and family. She learned how to do eyelash extensions and now works at JTanner Lash Studio in Cartersville. She is rebuilding her whole life from scratch,” James said.

Today, she is also trying to build her business from scratch.

Niesha wants to live independently and provide for her daughter Ayah. She is now three years old and the mother-daughter duo are building a beautiful life together.

Niesha knows she can accomplish anything with Ayah by her side. They continue to overcome obstacles together.