Mother of premature baby in intensive care after heart attack
Kate Meldrum, pictured with partner Joe Turner and daughter Ruby Turner, had a heart attack while visiting her daughter in the NICU on May 21.
A young mum is fighting for her life after suffering a heart attack while visiting her premature baby in hospital.
North Shore resident Kate Meldrum gave birth to daughter Ruby on May 6 after 26 weeks and five days gestation, with Ruby weighing just 530 grams.
While visiting Ruby in Auckland City Hospital's newborn intensive care unit on May 21, Meldrum started complaining of chest pains, her sister Steph Everest said.
The 29-year-old then suffered a ruptured heart valve and was rushed into emergency open-heart surgery.
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Everest said Meldrum was put on life support but was slowly being brought out of sedation.
Birkenhead resident Kate Meldrum with daughter Ruby Turner in Auckland City Hospital's NICU.
"She's very, very sick," Everest said.
"Our other concern at the moment is that she's potentially had some kind of brain damage because we don't know how long she went without oxygen when she had her heart attack."
Everest said Meldrum was diagnosed with lupus as an early teen giving her kidney, liver and circulation issues.
Ruby Turner was born prematurely on May 6 weighing just 530 grams.
Her sister and niece being in hospital was an absolute nightmare, Everest said.
"I've got two kids under five so no tears at home when we can," she said.
Meldrum's partner Joe Turner was being incredibly strong and spent his days going back and forth between Meldrum and their daughter, she said.
Sonny Bill Williams visited Kate Meldrum, Joe Turner and daughter Ruby Turner in the NICU.
Ruby was doing OK but had been put back on a ventilator after an "episode" on Sunday night, Everest said.
"She's suffering from apnoea. Because she's so little, she forgets to breathe sometimes and her oxygen saturation levels get quite low."
She had put on about 100g since her birth, she said.
"She's a wee fighter like her mum."
The family has set up a Givealittle page to help Turner with accommodation, transport and expenses.
Everest said Turner had to take a leave of absence from work and it would kill them financially.
"We're just trying to support them as best we can," she said.
Support has been rushing in for the family with over $18,000 raised on their Givealittle page so far.
- Stuff
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