A young Utah family is mourning the tragic loss of Morgan Aubrey Hughes, a 23-year-old mother who passed away from a heart condition shortly after Christmas, just days after giving birth to twins.
Morgan died on December 28 at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, leaving behind her newborn son, Hudson Samuel Hughes, and daughter, Georgia Elise Hughes, who were born on December 19. She is survived by her husband, Samuel Craig Hughes, also 23. The couple was recently married in 2023.
Morgan Hughes, a 23-year-old from Benjamin, Utah, had always dreamed of becoming a mother. Her joy was immeasurable when she welcomed twins—a son, Hudson, and a daughter, Georgia—on December 19, her family shared.
Although the twins, born about six weeks premature, were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit to grow stronger, Morgan herself recovered well initially and was discharged from the hospital a few days after childbirth, her father, Brian Hodson told NBC News. However, about a week later, Morgan began feeling unwell. She experienced vomiting, fainting, and what her family suspected might have been a seizure. Concerned, she returned to the hospital, where doctors discovered fluid around her heart and diagnosed her with postpartum cardiomyopathy, also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy. This rare form of heart failure can occur late in pregnancy or within months of delivery as the heart muscle weakens.
In some cases, peripartum cardiomyopathy can be managed with medications that improve heart function and reduce fluid retention if diagnosed early. However, the condition is often difficult to detect, as its symptoms—such as shortness of breath and swelling in the legs—can resemble normal pregnancy-related changes, according to the American Heart Association.
Morgan’s condition deteriorated rapidly despite intensive care. On December 28, she suffered cardiac arrest and tragically passed away, leaving her family and loved ones heartbroken.
According to NBC News, the exact cause of peripartum cardiomyopathy remains unclear, though experts have identified several potential risk factors. These include pregnancies involving twins or multiples, maternal age of 35 or older, and high blood pressure conditions such as pre-eclampsia—a serious pregnancy complication marked by elevated blood pressure.
Morgan Hughes, who was otherwise healthy, had been diagnosed with preeclampsia late in her pregnancy, her father, Brian Hodson, shared. This diagnosis may have contributed to the development of the rare and life-threatening heart condition.
Hodson talked about how becoming a mother was Morgan’s dream.
“She’s always wanted to be a mom and has loved babies forever,” he said. “She was known as the baby whisperer, even when she was young.”
“That’s all she wanted in life, was to be a mom. She would have loved them more than anything,” her father added.
The twins, born prematurely, are still in the NICU at Utah Valley Hospital but are expected to be discharged and sent home by the end of the month per PEOPLE.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Morgan’s family with this unexpected loss. The fundraiser was set up by the Lone Peak Fire Department. Morgan’s father works as a Captain of The Lone Peak Fire department. So far, over $ 55,000 has been raised.
