Oti Mabuse speaks out about her traumatic birth as she thanks the NHS for saving her premature baby daughter’s life after terrifying sepsis scare

Oti Mabuse has spoken about her traumatic birth and how her premature 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 ‘didn’t have time to panic’ as they focused on her daughter’s recovery.

She said The sun on Sunday: ‘It helped when someone asked me: “How are you feeling? How are you dealing with these new emotions?”

‘My sepsis was discovered after birth, it’s not something that has been overlooked so I just want to clarify that as I read it so misinterpreted a while ago.

Now the TV star, 33, has admitted it was ‘helpful’ to have someone to talk to even though she knew she ‘didn’t have time to panic’ as they focused on making things better of her newborn baby.

“My daughter had an infection when she came out and the doctors treated her. I didn’t have time to panic, we were just focused on her getting better.”

The former Strictly Come Dancing professional explained that she always felt her daughter was in ‘safe hands’ as doctors gave her the best possible treatment.

Oti added that the little one had to learn to eat and breathe alone, but admitted that the neonatal unit is a world she knows little about. She claimed the team did a “great” job.

The dancer saw the ‘incredible’ work of midwives who relied on the support of friends and family every day when she could not physically be with her baby.

Oti’s sisters are strict judge Motsi, 42, and Phemelo, 35, and she also explained that her siblings – who both have children – have been giving her advice on motherhood since the baby arrived two months ago.

She even hopes her daughter will grow up to be as “ambitious and talkative” as her sisters’ children, but admits that at this stage she is instead “very calm and relaxed” like her father.

Oti rejoined the Dancing on Ice judges for the latest series, but appreciated that for her it’s not the same as most new mums returning to work so quickly after having a baby.

She explained that she felt “grateful and privileged” that her job involved getting glammed up once a week for the Sunday show, watching the stars skate and then going home.

Oti (second from left) pictured with guest judge Johnny Weir and regulars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean on the set of Dancign on Ice

Oti shared the first photo on Christmas Day, before older sister Motsi accidentally revealed the toddler’s gender

Meanwhile, Strictly host Motsi, 42, shared her own photo with husband Evgenij Voznyuk, where she revealed she was the proud aunt of a girl

Saying, ‘Merry Christmas, call us Aunt and 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 embraced the newcomer, as well as the family pooch, as they beamed from ear to ear.

Writing: ‘Merry Christmas I wish you all a wonderful festive season and special memories with loved ones.’

Meanwhile, Motsi, 42, shared her own photo with husband Evgenij Voznyuk, revealing she was the proud aunt of a baby girl.