Gladstone couple mourns baby girl after tragic sepsis death
After suffering numerous miscarriages this Queensland couple were overjoyed to welcome a baby girl into the world. Then they were given a devastating diagnosis. WARNING: GRAPHIC
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Storm Peterson will never forget watching her only child gasp for air as she lost her fight with sepsis, dying in her arms at only eight weeks old.
Raevyn Jayne Elaine Harper was born at Brisbane’s Mater Hospital to her loving parents Storm Peterson, 21, and Jarred Harper, 19, of Gladstone, on September 21.
After suffering numerous miscarriages, the young couple was excited to be bring their baby into the world.
“She was the sunshine who lit up our whole lives,” her mother said.
But when Storm was 19 weeks pregnant, baby Raevyn was diagnosed with a mix of rare heart conditions — transposition of the great arteries, double outlet right ventricle, and one large subpulmonary VSD.
Then less than a month after her birth, Storm and Jarred took baby Raevyn to the emergency department at the Queensland Children’s Hospital where they learnt she was in heart failure.
What followed was vigorous testing, surgery, and any and all attempts to save her life.
It was a successful surgery.
However a week later, it revealed Raevyn had contracted an aggressive form of sepsis.
She was also diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), from not enough blood reaching the intestines, and had fluid leaking into her tissue.
Heartbreakingly, her little fingers, hands, feet and toes turned purple from lack of blood flow.
Baby Raevyn was going to lose all her limbs.
Her lungs were solid and her airways were clotted, inflamed and blocked.
On November 18, 2022, Storm and Jarred were told their sweet baby Raevyn had no chance of survival.
“When they told me I just broke,” Storm said.
“I ran down the hospital hallway screaming and crying and called Jarred.
“I’ve never felt that kind of pain or heartbreak. I was hysterical.
“Yes the miscarriages were gut wrenching but being told our baby girl would die was beyond my greatest fear … our world was completely shattered.
“I just couldn’t believe it. She seemed so full of life.”
For her last night, Raevyn’s parents had a hospital bed brought in so they could sleep next to her.
“I spent most of her last night standing over her bed, singing to her, talking to her, brushing her hair and telling her that I loved her,” Storm said through tears.
Then the morning of her last day, family visited the hospital to say goodbye.
“Around 12 noon I was standing by her bedside while I watched her have the drains cut off and removed and I got to watch her close her eyes for the last time as she fell asleep,” Storm said.
“We got to hold her one last time while she was asleep before she passed.
“Sitting there and holding my daughter was something I’ll never forget. Time was running out and that moment felt so still.
“We chose to listen to Over the Rainbow for her last song. When it finished I gave the nod and then we held her together as they turned off the last machine and disconnected the last of her tubes.
“Watching her gasp for air in her sleep as she died was heartbreaking … it went on for nearly four minutes.”
On Saturday November 19, at 1.53pm, baby Raevyn grew her angel wings and lost her battle with sepsis.
She was just eight weeks and three days old, and had spent most of her life in hospital.
“They took her body away to stich her chest shut and then they called us into the room and we were finally able to give her a bath for the first time,” Storm said.
“She looked so peaceful and was no longer fighting.
“We gave her a little bird bath and put her in a beautiful white dress. She truly looked like a little angel.”
Her parents chose to spend a final night with Raevyn in a special part of the hospital.
“By 6am in the morning it became unbearable for me … I knew she was gone but seeing the physical signs of it on her body made me feel empty.
“My little ray of sunshine was gone. I wish I could hold her just one more time. I’d give anything.
“We love her so much.”
A Go Fund Me page was started and funds will go towards baby Raevyn’s funeral. The family is still waiting for the body to be returned after medical tests investigating the cause of the sepsis infection.
“She fought every single day of her precious life and is the bravest and strongest little girl I’ll ever get to know,” her mother said.
“She wasn’t here for long but you could tell she wanted to see the world and loved being here,” Storm said.
“She was a curious, happy, cuddly and noisy baby.
“She had the biggest brightest eyes which would just light up when she was happy.
“I just hope she’s at peace and having the sweetest of dreams.”
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