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AUTUMN — USA
Born August 11, 2008 and died August 22, 2008 Early-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive. Gestational Age: Full-term Age Harmed: Hours old |
On August 11, 2008, I gave birth to my first child, Autumn. She was perfect and I was beyond in love. Several hours after her birth, I was notified that she was experiencing respiratory issues. She was transferred to a better hospital and was on life support for 11 days.
On the 11th day, her condition worsened so that less than necessary amounts of oxygen were getting to her brain. She had already had detrition in her arms and legs, and would likely lose all her limbs. At this point, her father and I made the decision to take her off the machines. Eleven days since I held her for the first time and look into her beautiful face and said, "Welcome to the world, baby-love;" I held her for the second time, looked in her beautiful face, and said, "Goodbye, baby-love."
We later discovered that midwives and the hospital had misread the results of my Group B Strep test, and I was never treated, despite a positive test result. This caused the infection that lead to her death.
— Kat Smith, USA
Autumn's mother shares info via Facebook posts, warns all pregnant friends of the importance of testing, and wears the ribbon for awareness month.
On the 11th day, her condition worsened so that less than necessary amounts of oxygen were getting to her brain. She had already had detrition in her arms and legs, and would likely lose all her limbs. At this point, her father and I made the decision to take her off the machines. Eleven days since I held her for the first time and look into her beautiful face and said, "Welcome to the world, baby-love;" I held her for the second time, looked in her beautiful face, and said, "Goodbye, baby-love."
We later discovered that midwives and the hospital had misread the results of my Group B Strep test, and I was never treated, despite a positive test result. This caused the infection that lead to her death.
— Kat Smith, USA
Autumn's mother shares info via Facebook posts, warns all pregnant friends of the importance of testing, and wears the ribbon for awareness month.
To learn more about Perinatal & GBS Misconceptions, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.