Gold Coast rallying for father whose wife died hours after giving birth
Friends of a devastated husband whose wife died hours after giving birth to their second child are pleading for donations to help with his mounting debts.
Imogen Petrak was 36-weeks pregnant when she checked into a hospital on Friday with an ear infection.
The suspected meningococcal infection rapidly spread to the 35-year-old’s brain and she underwent an emergency C-section to save baby Eleanor’s life.
Tragically, the Gold Coast mother did not survive.
Her husband John now faces an uphill battle to care for his premature daughter and their 17-month-old son JB.
Fellow church member Renee King started a GoFundMe to help the young family and has so far raised more than $100,000.
“If we can help him stay on the Gold Coast and have time with his kids and move those debts, he would be forever grateful,” Ms King told 7 News.
"Please help me help them, help me give him three months not having to worry about working or paying the bills, to give him time to figure out what life is going to be looking like for them now without his wife and his children's mother."
A heartbroken John posted on Facebook saying that Eleanor is "doing very well" and has her mother's "lips, ears and hair" but he is devastated by the loss of his wife.
"I miss my wife so much," he wrote.
"Leaving to go home, her suitcase she prepared was in the boot, never to be used.
"At home, her sewing machine on the table, with unfinished work for Eleanor."
