Mum Rachel Kaeslar’s maternal instincts may have saved her daughter Laura’s life

When pregnant Rachel Kaeslar couldn’t feel her usually lively baby moving she knew something wasn’t right – when she went to the hospital she could never have imagined what was wrong.

Rachel and Arlen Kaesler with their daughter Laura 2.5 years old who has Cerebral Palsy, cortical vision impairment and epilepsy. Picture Mark Brake

Rachel Kaeslar may have saved her daughter’s life by following her maternal instincts.

When she was 37 weeks pregnant Ms Kaeslar knew something was not right when her baby suddenly stopped moving completely – something she said was extremely unusual.

“It wasn’t just reduced movement, it was literally no movement at all,” the now 32-year-old told The Advertiser.

“I remember thinking I had lost my baby … we’re gonna go to the hospital today and have our baby and I’m going to have a stillborn.”

Ms Kaeslar thought she may have lost her baby when Laura suddenly stopped moving in the womb. Picture Mark Brake

The Largs North woman, who works as a barista, rushed to the hospital with her husband Arlen Kaeslar to the Lyell McEwin Hospital where an ECG revealed her baby was in distress.

Shortly after, on New Year’s Eve in 2021, baby Laura was born via emergency caesarean section.

“I think at that point we were quite naive because … in our heads, it’s our first baby,” Ms Kaeslar said.

“We were like, oh they will get her out and everything will be fine

“We were very naive to think that was the solution to the problem.”

Rachel Kaeslar with her daughter Laura and husband Arlen. Picture: Supplied

After Laura’s birth medical staff discovered she was suffering with seizures and tried giving her two different antiepileptic medications overnight – both didn’t work.

She was transferred to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in a specialised ambulance while Ms Kaeslar was forced to remain in the Lyell Mac due to the lack of beds.

Mr Kaeslar was with Laura when they intubated and sedated her to put her in the MRI machine to see the damage to her brain.

“She was in the NICU and then the doctor called me and put me on speakerphone,” Ms Kaeslar said.

“The doctor told us … that she had had a stroke.”

Rachel Kaeslar's daughter Laura suffered a stroke while in utero. Laura who is now two years old lives with Cerebral Palsy, cortical vision impairment and epilepsy. Picture: Supplied

Mr and Ms Kaeslar were unable to hold their baby until she was five days old. Picture: Supplied

Despite medical advice, the day after her C-section Ms Kaeslar asked her mum to pick her up from the hospital and drive her to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital so she could be with her baby and husband.

“It was horrible, every single bump we went over, I was in so much pain, but I needed to go and I couldn’t wait for the transfer,” she said.

There wasn’t a bed waiting for her, but she didn’t care.

“I knew children could have a stroke, but I didn’t know a baby could have a stroke in utero,” she said.

The new parents were unable to hold their baby until her fifth day alive.

“We actually named her that day too because we weren’t really positive on her name,” Ms Kaeslar said.

Laura is now two years old. She lives with Cerebral Palsy, cortical vision impairment and epilepsy as a result of the stroke.

“Having a baby changes your life, but having a child with a disability really changes your life and your perspective,” Ms Kaeslar said.

“She’s the coolest kid ever, she is so happy.”

Laura loves reading books, swimming and listening to the Wiggles.

Ms Kaeslar is sharing her daughter’s story to mark Paediatric Stroke Awareness Month which runs every May.

Stroke Foundation CEO Lisa Murphy said Laura’s story proves stroke can happen to people of all ages.

“People often associate stroke with the elderly, but that’s simply not true,” Dr Murphy said. “Up to 600 Australian children have a stroke each year.

“Peri-natal stroke happens before birth or shortly after birth, between 28 weeks of pregnancy and one month old. Childhood stroke happens in a child aged from one month to eighteen years old.

“We know the faster an adult or child with stroke gets to a hospital and receives medical treatment, the better their chance of survival and a good recovery.”

Originally published as Mum Rachel Kaeslar’s maternal instincts may have saved her daughter Laura’s life