Tragedy struck the family of a young Queensland woman, Olivia Harlow, when she lost her unborn baby and passed away just eight days later. Olivia’s family is now desperately seeking answers, as they believe her death could have been prevented. According to Stefanie Harlow, Olivia’s sister-in-law and creator of a fundraising page, Olivia initially went to the Royal Brisbane Hospital complaining of headaches and blurred vision when she was 34 weeks pregnant. Despite her symptoms, she was sent home to rest. However, two weeks later, Olivia returned to the hospital when she noticed that her baby wasn’t moving. Heartbreakingly, she was informed that her daughter had passed away.
After giving birth, Olivia stayed in the hospital for a few days before being discharged. However, she soon returned with intense headaches once again. This time, the hospital attributed her symptoms to stress and sent her home. Tragically, the next day Olivia’s partner found her unresponsive in her room, and she was rushed back to the hospital on life support.
Medical examinations revealed devastating news – Olivia had tumors in her brain, with one growth at the back of her head that was almost the size of two golf balls. Despite efforts to save her life, Olivia was declared brain-dead, and her life support was turned off on June 24th.
Olivia’s family is now left grappling with questions about how a young and otherwise healthy woman’s life could change so dramatically in just 26 days. Stefanie expressed their shock and devastation on the GoFundMe page created to raise funds for Olivia’s partner, Ryan Stephenson. She described Olivia as a loving and caring mother, partner, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. The family is seeking financial assistance to give Olivia and her unborn daughter the send-off they deserve and to ease the financial burden on Ryan during this difficult time so that he can focus on grieving and being there for their young daughter, Evaliah.
This heartbreaking story raises concerns about the importance of thorough medical examinations and follow-up care, especially when pregnant women present with symptoms such as severe headaches and blurred vision. Headaches during pregnancy can be a normal occurrence, but they can also be a sign of more serious conditions such as preeclampsia or intracranial tumors. It is crucial for healthcare providers to carefully evaluate and monitor pregnant women who present with persistent or severe headaches to ensure early detection and appropriate intervention if necessary.
While it is unclear at this time what exactly led to Olivia’s tragic outcome, her story underscores the need for improved communication and vigilance within the healthcare system. Pregnant women should feel empowered to advocate for themselves and seek second opinions if they feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed. Additionally, healthcare providers must be diligent in thoroughly assessing and investigating symptoms, especially in high-risk cases like pregnancy.
The loss of Olivia and her unborn baby serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our loved ones. It also emphasizes the urgent need for further research and awareness regarding potential complications during pregnancy. By sharing Olivia’s story, we hope to raise awareness, inspire conversations, and ultimately contribute to improving maternal healthcare outcomes for women across the world.
