An expectant mother from Rimbey with only three months to go in her pregnancy is now laying in a medically induced coma in the University of Alberta Hospital after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage.
The baby, already named Kaden by his parents, is to remain in his mother’s womb for at least three more weeks before he will be taken by caesarean section.
Doctors will then attempt to bring the baby’s mother, 22-year-old Ashley Rhine, who is on life support and listed in critical condition, out of her coma.
“It’s a horrible situation,” said Ashley’s great-aunt, Dawn Rhine, from her home in Melfort, Sask. “Sadly, we don’t know if Ashley will make it through this terrible ordeal.”
She added that doctors want the baby to continue to grow and even reach full term, before performing the C-section.
Rhine, who received a call about 9 p.m. May 18 from Ashley’s mom, Tammy, who was en route to the U of A Hospital, said the tragedy has been a complete shock to the family.
Ashley had experienced a normal pregnancy up until the time the brain hemorrhaging began.
“Everything was fine that (Friday) afternoon. She had talked to her dad who lives in Red Deer and texted her mom. She was with her teenage brother, Austin, when she collapsed. When he tried to wake her, she kind of came to, but was disoriented. He called 9-1-1 and doctors say (in so doing) he probably saved her life.”
By the time the ambulance arrived, the pregnant woman was non-responsive and was rushed to Rimbey hospital and later airlifted to the U of A Hospital.
A CAT scan revealed she was born with arterial vein malformation (AVM), a condition not usually found until pregnancy that often results in a hemorrhage, explained Rhine.
Doctors spent several hours performing surgery to stop the bleeding from the brain and then put her into an induced coma where she still remains.
Rhine said Ashley and her boyfriend, Ryan Lauzon were excited about their baby.
“When she found out (she was pregnant), she was so excited. It was like she had reached her most happy point. And Ryan, he was just as excited about having a little boy. And he dotes on Ashley.”
Lauzon, 35, who works in the oilpatch, and lives in Rimbey with Ashley, is now at the hospital. Her mother is staying in Edmonton so she can be close to her daughter. Her brother has also spent most of his time in Edmonton. Her father, Kim, has been commuting to Edmonton from Red Deer.
Rhine said fundraising efforts have begun to help the family with expenses while they are staying in Edmonton.
Patricia Gwynn (Rhine’s mom) and her daughter, Breanna Quinn-Rhine, will place donation jars in local businesses. A benefit and pancake breakfast may also be held.
Rhine has also started a Facebook group, support & prayers for Ashley Rhine and baby Kaden. Search in Facebook with keywords “support for Ashley Rhine” to find it.
Meanwhile the family will keep their vigil by Ashley’s bedside, hoping and praying for mother and child.
“Ashley’s a strong girl. She’s definitely a fighter and she would do anything for her baby,” said Rhine.
By Treena Mielke