Family desperate for answers after 25-year-old mom loses unborn child and then dies just days later

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By Asiya Ali

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The family of a 25-year-old mom are searching for answers after their loved one tragically died eight days after losing her unborn baby.

Olivia Harlow, from Queensland, Australia, passed away on June 24. Tragically, she and her husband had lost their unborn baby girl just eight days prior.

Stefanie Harlow, Olivia’s sister-in-law, told the Daily Mail that the mom-of-one went to Royal Brisbane Hospital with headaches and blurred vision at 34 weeks pregnant.

According to the report, she was sent home to rest but went back to the hospital on June 16 after realizing her baby, who they had named Adeline, wasn't moving.


Stefanie revealed that doctors did a scan on Olivia and noticed that her baby girl had passed away.

Olivia stayed in the hospital for a few nights after the traumatic incident. She was then given a "full bill of health" and discharged.

However, just a couple of days later, she returned to the same place and told medics that she was suffering from intense headaches. 

"The doctors looked at a scan they had done two weeks prior and said there was nothing to warrant more tests," Stefanie said. "They said she was probably still stressed from what she had gone through and pretty much sent her on her way."

"The next day Olivia was found by her partner in her room unresponsive so they rushed her to the hospital on life support," she continued.

The sister-in-law said doctors found tumors in Olivia’s brain, with one at the back of her head “almost the size of two golf balls," adding: "It had pushed on her wiring harness which caused her to stop breathing and stopped sending messages to her body to pump blood."

GettyImages-1487838069.jpgDoctors found tumors in Olivia’s brain. Credit: Hispanolistic / Getty

The scans revealed that the woman - who already has one young daughter - was brain dead, with her family making the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support on June 24. 

The devastating incident has left Olivia's loved ones with more questions than answers. "Her brain has been sent away for further testing, which could take up to two years to get us an answer," Stefanie said.

"We're kind of stumped as to why she was turned away so many times and no one did anything. We feel like nothing was done," she continued. "She was only 25, she was otherwise fit and healthy. We shouldn't have to be in this position where we're putting her to rest. It's a bit of a medical mystery."

Screenshot 2024-07-08 at 11.11.48.pngCredit: GoFundMe

The family set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for Ryan, who is now raising their four-year-old daughter Evaliah on his own. As of this writing, $20,165 AUD has been raised.

“I am reaching out on behalf of the family to help raise some funds to give Liv and Adeline the send-off they both deserve and to help ease the financial burden off Ryan so he is able to take his time to grieve and be there for Evaliah while they come to terms with the sudden change of their lives," the fundraiser read.

Our thoughts are with Olivia's family and friends at this time.

Featured image credit: Mint Images / Getty