Experience Description

I gave birth to my first son. On the sixth day after delivery, I hemorrhaged and was admitted to hospital. While waiting for cross match blood to be completed, I began to feel lightheaded. My hands to my ears the last thing I remember saying was that I had a terrible ringing in my ears. My physician told me later, that I had no pulse and no respiration. I remember being in the most beautiful white light. It was all encompassing and warm. In the white light with me was a holy being that seemed to me to be God or Christ. We communicated telepathically and even though I wanted to remain where I was, I cried out to this being that I must go; I had a baby that needed me. With this, I feel I was allowed to come back into my body in what seemed to be an instant and I was back in my hospital bed.

Later the doctor told me that she had tried very hard to resuscitate me and that she felt me slip away until finally I came back. I did talk to my family about the experience at the time. I also told the doctor and my pastor. The experience has never left me and from the NDE forward I have never had a fear of death.

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date NDE Occurred: 'May 14, 1966'

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Childbirth 6 days after delivery Clinical death (cessation of breathing or heart function or brain function) I stopped breathing and had no pulse.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Wonderful

The experience included: Out of body experience

Did you feel separated from your body? Uncertain I lost awareness of my body

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? More consciousness and alertness than normal When I cried out that I must go.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? When I cried out that I must go.

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning Some time seemed slower and then again, as when I feel I was allowed to come back into my body it was faster.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? Incredibly more vivid

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. The brilliance of the white light.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. Communication was not verbal.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? Yes, and the facts have been checked out

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes I felt that I met a very holy being.

The experience included: Light

Did you see, or feel surrounded by, a brilliant light? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes Most beautiful white light which was all encompassing. Warm, so much more than just a light.

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world? No

The experience included: Strong emotional tone

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Happiness, love, well-being, peacefulness.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Happiness

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? I felt united or one with the world

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything? Everything about the universe

Did scenes from your past come back to you? My past flashed before me, out of my control

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from the world's future

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was sent back against my will

God, Spiritual and Religion:


What was your religion prior to your experience? Moderate

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? Yes My religious beliefs are more tolerant and less restrictive.

What is your religion now? Liberal

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes My religious beliefs are more tolerant and less restrictive.

The experience included: Presence of unearthly beings

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin

Did you see deceased or religious spirits? I actually saw them

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:


During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? No

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes I am more tolerant, more forgiving and more peaceful.

After the NDE:


Was the experience difficult to express in words? Yes Hard to describe other worldly descriptions. Words seem inadequate.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? No

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? The feelings were very intense and I felt very comforted from the glimpse of the afterlife.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes The next day. Reactions were supportive from family. Family was grateful and in awe of what my mother felt was a miracle.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? No

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real At the time that the NDE happened, I did not know of any others that had experienced this. Since then, of course, I have read and just recently spoke to someone who had a NDE also. The realness of the experience I have never questioned.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience? It was a powerful and beautiful meaningful experience.

Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience? No.