By Lydia Warren PUBLISHED: 10:27 EST, 15 August 2013 | UPDATED: 12:48 EST, 15 August 2013 A new mother has died just a week after giving birth to her first daughter after she contracted a vicious flesh-eating bacteria from her episiotomy. Heather Nichols, 29, passed away at Eastern Maine Medical Center on August 8 after giving birth to baby Ruby Ann with her husband Matt by her side on August 1. Now Matt, a childcare assistant, is left to bring up their newborn daughter alone, while he battles to raise awareness of the deadly bacteria that snatched his beloved wife away so suddenly.
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Heather Nichols underwent an episiotomy - a small incision to enlarge the vaginal opening to help childbirth - when she had daughter Ruby Ann
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But a day later she was experiencing pain and returned to hospital and doctors found she had necrotizing faciitis
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Surgeries could not stop the spread of the disease and she passed away
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Her husband Matt is trying to raise awareness of the vicious infection
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Hospital investigating where the infection came from but the bacteria lives naturally in the skin and throat
Heather Nichols
Heather Nichols
stronger than most people do,' said Matt, who married @placeholder just over two years ago after they met through a mutual friend.
Ruby Ann
Ruby Ann
More than $13,000 has already been raised, and any money left over will go to @placeholder's education.