Hayden Panettiere Says She Nearly Died While Giving Birth: ‘Knew That I Was Knocking on Death’s Doorstep’

Hayden Panettiere has opened up about the traumatic experience she endured during the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014. In a heartfelt conversation during her promotional tour for her new memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning”, the actress recounted how close she came to losing her life during the delivery. Kaya, now 11, is the child of Panettiere and her former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko.

During a candid interview with E! News, Panettiere shared, “I was sitting there and getting the C-section, and I knew that I was knocking on death’s doorstep.” The emotional recollection revealed that Panettiere faced severe complications, resulting in significant blood loss. She underwent seven blood transfusions and battled a subsequent infection, all while remaining focused on the well-being of her newborn.

In her interviews, including a segment on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Panettiere reflected on the intense emotional struggle that followed. “I had a really rough birth to the point where I almost didn’t make it through,” she said. Following the traumatic delivery, she experienced postpartum depression, which took a toll on her mental health despite being blessed with a healthy child. “There I am with this beautiful, healthy baby girl and this very fortunate life, and I could not… be happy,” she lamented, expressing the darkness she grappled with in the months following Kaya’s birth.

Panettiere’s discussion also touched on the custody arrangements for Kaya, who now lives in Ukraine with Klitschko. In 2018, Panettiere relinquished custody as she sought treatment for her mental health and substance abuse issues. Despite the physical distance, she reassured King that their bond remains strong, stating, “I’m so blessed to have a great relationship with her.”

The actress shared a light-hearted moment from a recent FaceTime call with Kaya, who playfully addressed her as “Britney”. This nickname references Panettiere’s role as Britney Allen in the popular film “Bring It On: All or Nothing.” “It took me a second, and I realised she was talking about Bring It On because her friends are fans,” she laughed, appreciating how her daughter is now keen to include her mother in conversations with her friends.

Panettiere’s revelations come in response to previous claims that she had “given away” her daughter, which she described as “heartbreaking”. On Jay Shetty’s podcast, she firmly denied these assertions, saying, “the idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is… Couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

In addressing her mental health struggles, Panettiere emphasised that she actively sought help rather than being forced into treatment. “I think a misconception is that I have been in the past forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who has sought it out,” she explained. This period of introspection and treatment was vital for her recovery but also came with the heavy burden of being away from her daughter.

She described these experiences as painful, particularly the emotional strain of not being able to be with Kaya daily. “The fact that my child wasn’t going to be with me all day, every day was… you can’t put words to it,” Panettiere stated, elaborating on the layers of feelings she experienced during that time. She recognised the benefits of Kaya’s life in Ukraine, where she was surrounded by friends and family, learning multiple languages, and thriving until Panettiere regained her health.

Ultimately, Panettiere expressed that her decision to allow Kaya to stay in Europe was one of selflessness. “I felt like it would have been unfair and selfish of me to try to pull her out of this life that she had been creating,” she remarked, acknowledging that Kaya was flourishing during her absence. Panettiere’s journey highlights the complexity of motherhood, mental health, and the sacrifices made for the well-being of one’s children.

As she moves forward in her career and personal life, Hayden Panettiere hopes to continue sharing her story, offering encouragement to those facing similar challenges. Her memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning”, serves as a testimony to resilience and the struggles many parents face, drawing attention to the importance of understanding and supporting mental health issues in the context of parenthood.