A pregnant Virginia woman who was pronounced brain dead nearly three months ago gave birth to a baby girl via caesarian section on Tuesday. The child, named Susan Anne Catherine Torres, weighs one pound 13 ounces and is 13 1/2 inches long according to her father, Justin Torres.
The mother, Susan Torres, 26, suffered a stroke and lost consciousness on May 7. She was stricken with aggressive melanoma which had spread to her brain. Doctors told Justin Torres his wife's brain functions had stopped.
Mr. Torres quit his job and went to be by his wife's side. A decision was made to keep her on life support so the baby could be delivered.
The family is now facing medical bills that insurance refuses to cover. The bills run into tens of thousands of dollars per week. A Web site established has already raised $400,000 to offset these expenses.
The baby was delivered after seven months of pregnancy. Doctors will not attempt to deliver a baby before the 24th week. They had tried to extend the child to 32 weeks but were unable to do so. A typical pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks.
The hospital released a statement saying, 'The entire staff and administration of Virginia Hospital Center, especially the physicians and nurses caring for Susan Torres and Baby Girl Torres, are delighted with the successful delivery.'
The hospital refused to give any additional information as to Susan Torres' condition and whether or not she was still on life support.
