Health & Medicine

Phoenix Mom Dies In Quadruplet Delivery

Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Jan 19, 2015 08:58 PM EST

Phoenix mother Erica Morales passed away after giving birth to quadruplets: three girls and a boy. All the babies are healthy but now the dad is asking for help to raise them on his own. He's started a GoFundMe page, which has collected over $100,000 in donations within just three days.

The couple had dealt with fertility issues and was working to adopt a baby before she became pregnant. As she died right after a C-section at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, she was never able to see or touch her new babies.

Multiple birth pregnancies can put a strain on the body and the uterus. Two or more babies might mean a bigger placenta and higher levels of circulating hormones. The changes can even lead to more pregnancy complications. Many health risks are heightened during multiple birth pregnancies, including pre-eclampsia, anemia, gestational diabetes and more.

Preterm births, slowed growth of the babies, low birth weight and various birth defects are also more common in multiple birth pregnancies.

All of the babies are healthy and weigh between 2-3 pounds each. They're still at Banner Good Samaritan, a hospital that specializes in multiple birth deliveries, and will remain there until they've reached five pounds.

The mother was taken into the hospital initially for complications from high blood pressure. However, there has not been an official statement made about her death at this time.

Morales is survived by her husband, Carlos, and her four new babies. If you would like to donate to the family, visit their GoFundMe page

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