Oti Mabuse has spoke out about her traumatic birth and how her premature baby daughter’s life was saved by the NHS after a terrifying sepsis scare.
The Dancing on Ice judge, 33, became a mother for the first time when she welcomed a daughter with husband Marius Lepure in December.
But her daughter was born prematurely with an infection and spent six weeks in intensive care after Oti developed sepsis during pregnancy.
Now, the TV star has admitted it was ‚helpful‘ to have someone to talk to even though she knew she had ’no time to panic‘ as they focused on her daughter’s recovery.
She told The Sun on Sunday: ‚It was helpful for someone to ask me, „How are you feeling? How are you dealing with these new emotions?“
‚My sepsis was discovered after the birth it’s not something that was missed, so I just want to make that clear, as I’d read it misinterpreted like that a while ago.
Oti Mabuse has thanked the NHS for giving her a therapist after she went through a traumatic birth
Now, the TV star, 33, has admitted that it was ‚helpful‘ to have someone to talk to even though she knew she had ’no time to panic‘ as they focused on getting her newborn better.
‚My daughter had an infection when she came out and the doctors gave her treatment. I didn’t have time to panic we were just focused on her being better.‘
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional explained she always felt as if her daughter was in ’safe hands‘ as medics gave her the best possible treatment.
Oti added that the little one had to learn how to eat alone and breathe alone but admitted that the neonatal unit is a world she knows little about she she claimed the team did an ‚amazing‘ job.
The dancer saw the ‚incredible‘ work of midwives every day relied on the support of friends and family when she couldn’t physically be at her baby’s side.
Oti’s sisters are Strictly judge Motsi, 42, and Phemelo, 35, and she also explained that her siblings – both of whom have children – have been giving her advice on motherhood since the baby arrived two months ago.
She is even hoping her daughter grows up to be as ‚ambitious and talkative‘ as her sisters‘ children but admitted that at this stage she is instead ‚very calm and chilled‘ like her dad.
Oti re-joined the judging panel of Dancing on Ice for its latest series, but appreciated that for her, it is not the same as most new mothers going back to work so soon after having a baby.
She explained that she felt ‚grateful and privileged‘ that her employment consisted of getting glammed up once a week for the Sunday show, web page seeing the stars skate and then going home.
Oti (second left) pictured with guest judge Johnny Weir as well as fellow regulars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean on the set of Dancign on Ice
Oti shared the first photo on Christmas day -before elder sister Motsi inadvertently revealed the tot’s gender
Meanwhile Strictly host Motsi, 42, shared her own snap alongside husband Evgenij Voznyuk where she revealed she was the proud auntie of a baby girl
Saying: ‚Merry Christmas call us Auntie & Uncle !! Welcome to the family baby girl @otimabuse & @mariusiepure welcome to parenthood lol it’s going to be fun‘
Oti announced to fans on Christmas Day last year that she had given birth as she wished her followers a ‚wonderful festive season‘.
Oti and Marius, in matching festive onesies, lovingly cradled the new arrival, as well as the family’s four-legged friend, as they beamed from ear to ear.
Writing: ‚Merry Christmas Wishing you all a wonderful festive season and special memories with loved ones‘.
Meanwhile Motsi, 42, shared her own snap alongside husband Evgenij Voznyuk where she revealed she was the proud auntie of a baby girl.
Dancing On IceStrictly Come DancingOti Mabuse