Mom, 35, becomes a quadruple amputee after losing her arms and legs during childbirth – as her baby miraculously survives being born at just 2lb 8oz
A heroic new mother had to have both her arms and legs amputated after suffering toxic shock during labor when her baby was born weighing just 2lb 8oz.
Brie Morgan Bauer, 35, of Kansas City, was rushed to the hospital on February 17 for an emergency C-section at just 27 weeks.
Her third child, Beau, was born weighing 2 pounds, but as doctors stabilized the baby and transported him to the NICU, Brie’s condition deteriorated.
She developed Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome and was put into a coma.
Over the next few weeks, she had to undergo numerous surgeries and eventually had all four of her limbs amputated.
Brie Morgan Bauer, 35, from Kansas City, had to have her arms and legs amputated after suffering toxic shock during childbirth when her baby, Beau, was born at just 2lbs 8oz
Brie first went to the hospital on February 17 after “feeling flu-like for several days – body aches and general discomfort.”
Doctors determined she was in labor and her baby was in danger, so they sent her for an emergency C-section at 27 weeks.
Beau was born, but Brie lost a lot of blood in the operating room and her condition quickly deteriorated.
Set up a GoFundMe to support the family reads: ‘The medical team struggled to get oxygen to her fluid-filled lungs and stop her bleeding. Brie started experiencing organ failure.”
Doctors placed her in an induced coma and told her family that it was “unlikely that she would survive the night.”
But Brie persevered, and the next day lab results showed she had developed Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.
The infection was concentrated in her uterus and required her to undergo an emergency hysterectomy.
Over the next few weeks, she “battled infections, setbacks and suffered amputations of all four limbs.”
During the operation, doctors discovered that part of her colon had died and she had to undergo another major operation – her third in less than 72 hours – to place a stoma.
She survived the procedures, but the medications she was taking began to affect all four of her limbs.
The GoFundMe says: ‘Her hands and feet turned black from lack of blood flow – discussions about amputation were inevitable.’
Brie was still in a coma and only woke up briefly so her husband could tell her, “Brie, it’s Reid. The baby is safe, he is beautiful and looks like you.”
Over the next few weeks, she “battled infections, setbacks and suffered amputations of all four limbs.”
‘Her right arm, just above the elbow. Her left arm, just below the elbow. Her right leg, which is at hip height. And her left leg, just above the knee.’
The family has shared their journey on social media, building a following of 369,000
In mid-May, Beau was released from the hospital without complications and Brie was transferred to rehab where she is learning how to adjust post-amputation.
The GoFundMe says: ‘The work is both mental and physical and it’s all exhausting.
“She is processing the trauma and grief, while also overcoming the mental hurdle of exploring prosthetics.”
The family has shared their journey on social media, building a following of 369,000.
Their latest post, from Sunday, shows Brie outside the hospital, navigating her motorized wheelchair.
The caption reads: ‘What a difference a week and a half makes!
“I couldn’t be more proud of our girl for crushing rehab. Thanks to the OT and PT teams for helping break down barriers.”
Beau is cared for by his father, Reid, with help from his grandparents.
The family said, “We are grateful to have a close-knit family that works together to keep everything moving.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, their GoFundMe has raised more than $350,000.
They say the money will be used “to help offset medical costs, prosthetics, home renovations and other needs.”
They added: ‘Beau is busy with normal baby things in the meantime. He has been home for a few weeks now, but still often visits Brie in rehab.’
