'He was only 1kg when he was born ... we had no idea that would be the least of our troubles'

Brie was experiencing 'flu-like symptoms' when she went to the doctor while 27 weeks pregnant. It would kick off a horrific series of events that would change her life forever.

Brie Bauer was just 27 weeks pregnant when she was rushed to hospital for an emergency C-section.

The 35-year-old mum first went to hospital on February 17 after experiencing “several days of feeling flu-like symptoms, body aches and general discomfort”.

Doctors quickly determined the mum was in labour, so she was rushed in for surgery.

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The 35-year-old’s third child, Beau, was born weighing just 1.1kg, but while his condition was stable, Brie’s tragically declined.

She had lost a lot of blood during the operation, and developed Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.

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"They struggled to stop her bleeding"

The Daily Mail reports Brie faced “countless surgeries” over the next few weeks, and eventually needed to have all four of her limbs amputated to save her life.

“The medical team struggled to get oxygen to her fluid-filled lungs and to stop her bleeding,” a fundraiser for the family reads.

“Brie began to suffer from organ failure."

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Brie’s family was initially told she may not make it through the first night after she was placed into a medically-induced coma, but she survived.

She then underwent an emergency hysterectomy, as the infection was concentrated in her uterus.

Tragically, doctors found that a part of her colon had died, and she required more major surgery - her third in 72 hours - to fit an ostomy bag.

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"Her hands and feet were turning black"

The Daily Mail reports that while Brie survived her surgeries, the medication she was on began to impact her four limbs.

“Her hands and feet were turning black from a lack of blood flow,” the fundraiser reads. “Amputation discussions were inevitable.”

Over the coming weeks, Brie “battled infections, setbacks and endured amputations to all four limbs”.

“Her right arm, just above the elbow. Her left arm, just below the elbow. Her right leg, which is at hip level. And her left leg, just above the knee,” the fundraiser reads.

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"She's processing the trauma and grief"

The Daily Mail reports Beau was released from hospital in May with no further complications, while Brie was moved to a rehab centre where she is learning to adjust to her amputations.

“The work is as much mental as it is physical, and all of it is exhausting,” the fundraiser reads.

“She’s processing the trauma and grief, while also having to overcome the mental hurdle of exploring prosthetics.”

So far, the family’s fundraiser has raised more than $350,000, which will go towards “medical costs, prosthetics, home renovation and other needs”.

“We’re grateful to have a tight-knit family that works together to keep everything moving.”

Originally published as 'He was only 1kg when he was born ... we had no idea that would be the least of our troubles'