Cape Town - After a heart-wrenching fight to keep herself and her unborn child alive, Anneline van Reenen’s baby has died.
The seven-month pregnant mother, who is dying of cancer, risked her own life to try and save her baby, but in the end little Johantjie, as he was named, died in the womb.
According to sources, the Kraaifontein mom had been violently ill last Tuesday and could not feel the baby move.
The 36-year-old was rushed to Louis Leipoldt Hospital, where doctors failed to detect her baby’s heartbeat.
According to a family member, a blood clot had formed in the umbilical cord and blocked the oxygen flow to Johantjie, and he died.
Van Reenen’s sister-in-law, Sandra Jones, said she was there when the heartbroken mom held her stillborn son in her hands.
Jones said: “I was there when Anneline saw and held her baby for the first time... so emotional.
“He is a miracle in that he was able to affect so many people.”
Van Reenen later wrote on Facebook: “Hy was perfek soos die Here hom gemaak het. (He was perfect just as God made him.)
“Daar gaan ’n begrafnissie wees vir die wat wil bywoon. Weereens dankie vir al die gebede en omgee. Lief vir julle almal.” (There will be a funeral for those who want to attend. Once again thank you for all your prayers and concern. Love you all)
When the Daily Voice called on Sunday, grandmother Anita Jones was with the family and said she could not reveal any information regarding Anneline or the baby, as they had signed an “exclusive” contract with a local magazine.
Anita Jones said: “I can say that the family is doing well and we are coping. But we can’t say more because of the contract that Anneline has signed.”
Van Reenen’s heartbreaking journey started early this year when the mom of three discovered she was pregnant with a “miracle baby”, after having been sterilised a few years ago.
But her joy was short-lived when in May, doctors found she had aggressive cancer along her spine, and last month she was given three months to live.
The mom was told that to survive the cancer, she would have to abort her baby in order to take the life-saving medication she needs.
However, determined Van Reenen decided to give her first son a fighting chance by keeping him alive in her womb for as long as possible.
Johan was to be born at 27 weeks, but doctors felt Van Reenen was strong enough to give birth at 38 weeks and scheduled a Caesarean section in the first week of September.
Sadly, little Johantjie did not survive his courageous mom’s fight.
Daily Voice