Mom Dying Of Rare Dementia Gives Birth To A Healthy Baby

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A young woman from Edmonton who was diagnosed with a deadly form of dementia shortly after she found out she was pregnant has given birth.

Doctors didn’t think that she would live long enough to give birth to a healthy baby but Sabrina Lauman’s baby girl was born this month.

Just a few months ago after the woman found out she was pregnant with her second child, she was diagnosed with a rare terminal illness known as CJD. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rapidly progressing dementia.

By September of 2018, Sabrina lost the ability to walk and talk but 4 months later, on January 11, 2019, Stella Sabrina Lauman was born via c-section at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

“It was beautiful,” said Marie Alba, Sabrina’s sister. “The doctor came out and showed us a picture of Stella and (husband) Brent and said Sabrina’s doing well.”

The baby was delivered at 36 weeks and weighed 5 pounds eight ounces, and is healthy.

“Every time we put Stella near (her mother), (we) just say, ‘Stella’s here and you can hold her and she’s doing great and your baby’s beautiful and you did a good job.’”

“We just treat (Sabrina) like she can understand everything,” the sister said.

One of Sabrina’s best friends believes it’s her strong will that saved her child’s life.

“Even though she can’t communicate with us… to watch her go through this… We know how tough she fought to make sure Stella arrived,” Kira Ogar said.

“(Stella’s) a miracle and Sabrina’s a hero,”

The Mother and baby are now staying together on the hospital’s palliative care unit and the family takes turns staying to care for Stella.Lauman’s parents, Aurelio and Veronica Soluri, composed this t hank-you message for all Albertans who reached out or raised funds:

“We are deeply touched by the outpouring of prayers, love and support from so many people. You have impacted our lives during this bittersweet journey. Your prayers and compassion have helped to get us through this time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“We would also like to thank the nurses and doctors of the Royal Alexandra Hospital who have shown such amazing care, compassion and love towards Sabrina, Stella and our family. A heartfelt Thank you!
Love, the Soluri family and Lauman family.