New Mom Dies After Contracting Swine Flu Virus: Valerie Post, 24, Loses Her Fight for Life..... Baby Girl, Nora Evelyn Survives

This is a sad follow-up to my article (Swine Flu, H1N1 Virus is particularly deadly in 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters of pregnancy.) Valerie Post, who had been clinging to life at Tampa General Hospital, has died. She leaves her husband 23 year old Bryan, her daughter Trinity, 17 months, and infant daughter Nora, who was born by Caesarian section shortly after 24 year old, Valerie was admitted to the hospital suffering from Swine Flu.

Valerie had been well in her pregnancy until she came down with flu like symptoms on August 7^th. The family was happily awaiting a new baby sister for 17 month old Trinity and packing for a move to South Dakota. Upon entering the hospital, doctors determined Valerie had Swine flu. They delivered a healthy baby girl, Nora by Caesarian section, one month early, but Valerie never recovered.

She developed blood clots and lung problems. She was put on a respirator and into a medically induced coma. Doctors awakened her briefly so Brian could tell her baby Nora had been born; but new problems developed. Because of loss of lung capacity and changes in the immune system, women in the last trimesters of pregnancy and their babies, are particularly at risk for swine flu. It is difficult for them to fight the virus. This is why pregnant women are at the top of the priority list to get the swine flu vaccine when it becomes available in October.

Also H1N1 Swine Flu related: a 22 year old Hillsborough County Florida woman died after giving birth. A 27 year old woman survived the flu and a 3 week coma, but her newborn baby died.

Valerie's condition worsened over last week. Relatives and family from Canada, Portugal and Brazil were able to come and say their final goodbyes. Valerie suffered heart failure, bleeding in the brain, brain damage and pneumonia. Doctors had to resuscitate her. Bryan decided then to end medical treatment. He got the call Monday night that Valerie had died.

Everybody at the hospital was attached to Valerie and Bryan. All of Tampa was praying for the family and Valerie's recovery. Funeral plans are now being made. The baby, Nora Evelyn, is doing well.

It is very important that pregnant women be aware of flu like symptoms.....coughing, fever, sore throat, body aches and headache. Most women can recover if treated early with Tamiflu and monitored by their doctors. Doctors say that cases like Valerie's are rare.

Sources:

TBO News

St. Pete Times