Baby of Local Pregnant Woman Battling H1N1 in Hospital Dies

A local woman, who has been pregnant and battling the H1N1 virus in the hospital for weeks, has lost the baby.

Aubrey and Bryan Opdyke were excited about the upcoming birth of their baby girl, who they named Parker Christine. But a few weeks ago, Aubrey contracted the H1N1 virus. After only 27 weeks inside Aubrey, doctors made the tough decision to take the baby out on Saturday.

"Twenty-seven weeks. Even in the best of circumstances, is very, very early," said a local OB/GYN, Dr. David Feld.

According to Aubrey's mother-in-law, Christine Opdyke, Aubrey's lung collapsed again and the baby's heart rate went down. Doctors had wanted to wait until Baby Parker was at least 28 weeks, but given the circumstances felt they couldn't. Dr. Feld says because Aubrey got sick with the virus so soon in her pregnancy plus when the baby was delivered, she would not have developed her lungs well enough yet to survive.

"When you have an infectious case, I don't think you're going to see that lung maturity as quickly and I think that is the issue," said Dr. Feld.

The doctor says however that now, Aubrey should start getting better.

"Now mom has one extra stress that is relieved. Now she can really fight for herself and hopefully from our mouths to God's ears, we pray for her and we hope that is sincerely what's going to happen," he said.

Aubrey's loved ones, while devastated with the death of Baby Parker, are hoping themselves that is the case.

Aubrey does remain in critical condition at Wellington Regional Medical Center. Doctors are keeping her in a drug-induced coma.