VBAC Facts

Mom of Triplets Dies During Cesarean

This is so sad.  Three small babies, as well as her two older children, are now are without a mom and her husband is now alone raising these kids.

News article said that she "died of a heart attack after embryonic fluid entered the blood stream during a C-section."

Vaginal birth and cesarean both have risks … but I can’t help that think that a lot of women perceive cesarean birth as safer.  I think it’s important for people to be aware of the risks of cesarean, which include a 3.6 times higher risk of the mom dying (Deneux-Tharaux 2006) which is sadly demonstrated here.

It’s ironic that women seeking VBAC are frequently warmed about the risk of uterine rupture, yet how many moms undergoing a cesarean are aware of the risks of that surgery?

Unfortunately, moms’ pregnant with more than one child are often not given an option in terms of birthing vaginally.  Some OBs are supportive of vaginal birth of multiples, but they are pretty rare.  There are some midwives who will attend a ‘multiple’ homebirth.

If you are pregnant with multiples and want a vaginal birth, be prepared to interview OBs/midwives.  Email the ICAN group about providers - that is an excellent resource.

As always, it’s important to understand the risks and benefits of vaginal vs cesarean and home vs hospital birth.

4/9/2008 Update: The original news article I linked to and quoted from has now been deleted, so I’m including a different news article below.

Visitation Today For The Mother of Triplets Who Died in Childbirth

December 20, 2007 - 4:27PM

KALAMAZOO (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A mother of triplets gave the ultimate sacrifice for her newborn babies.  Tina Hagenbuch died just a short time after giving birth at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo this week. Something went wrong during Tina’s C-section. She died about half an hour after the third baby was born.

Jake Stiteler says his best friends Jeff and Tina Hagenbuch were unbelievably excited about having triplets. Stiteler and his wife were with the Hagenbuch’s at Bronson Methodist Hospital on Tuesday, when Tina prepared for the delivery.

"Tina was her normal self, she was smiling, and walking around," says Stiteler.

When Doctor’s began to perform a c-section, the first baby to arrive was a boy, the couple named Teegan.  Tina was able to meet the first of the triplets. "She did get to see the first baby born," but then Stiteler says something went wrong.

The complications began as baby girl Trinity was being delivered. Seconds later, the last of the triplets, little girl Rowan was born.

About a half an hour later after all three babies were delivered, Tina died. Now, Jeff Hagenbuch is suddenly a single dad of triplets.

As Stiteler thinks about his friend Jeff’s future he considers how tough it is for two parents to raise triplets "but for a single father who just lost his wife, it’s unbelievable the difficulty," says Stiteler.
He says Tina was always the rock among their group of friends. A group that’s not sure what to do next, overwhelmed with such a mix of emotions.  Stiteler says one thing is certain, "the kids will know, they had a great mom."

Now family friends and community members are reaching out to Tina’s husband Jeff as he prepares to raise the triplets.  When 42-year old Tina Hagenbuch found out she was pregnant with triplets, she got in touch with the Kalamazoo area group of Mothers of Multiples.  Kris Vogel instantly connected with Tina, as Vogel has two year old triplets.

"She was a positive person," Vogel says remembering Hagnebuch. Vogel was devastated to learn her new friend died on Tuesday from complications during the delivery of the triplets.

"She took such good care of herself, she took so many precautions," Vogel says.

The Mothers of Multiples group now wants Tina’s husband Jeff to know that they are more than willing to help the single dad of triplets.  Group member Holly Scheuer says there are many issues only other parents of multiples can understand when it comes to raising several children of the same age.

"Although we may not help with the grieving aspect… We’ll provide help on the children," says Scheuer.

A fund is set up. Here’s how you can help.

Checks Payable To: Jeffrey Hagenbuch
Memo Line: "Tina’s Memorial Fund"
Address: Consumer’s Credit Union, 5940 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Visitation For Tina Hagenbuch is On Saturday, Dec. 22nd
2-4 pm
6-8 pm
Langeland Funeral Home
6121 Kings Highway in
Comstock

Tina also leaves behind two daugthers. Skye, 22, and Tylar, 14.