A fundraising campaign has been launched after a Richmond woman died during childbirth at Richmond Hospital, leaving behind a five-year-old son and a pair of new-born twin daughters.
Wei Liu, 37, suffered major bleeding during her labour around Saturday midnight. Both babies were successfully delivered, but Liu’s heart stopped after their birth, according to her family.
“Things happened too suddenly, and the kids are still so young…” said husband Limin (Victor) Yu, in a video he made to thank people for their support.
“I really appreciate everyone’s help for my family. This is a bright light for me in a dark night. I will work hard to face everything from now on,” he said while crying.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) confirmed that a woman died during childbirth at Richmond Hospital on that night.
“(We) offer our sincere condolences to the family for their loss,” wrote Carrie Stefanson, public affairs leader of VCH in an email to the Richmond News.
“Maternal death in childbirth is rare, especially in pregnancies that have progressed normally. As such, the coroner has been notified and will be reviewing the case.
“VCH is also conducting its own critical incident review of this tragic case.”
Stefanson said that while they can’t discuss the specifics of the case due to privacy reasons, they can tell the News that, at one point, 35 staff members, including anesthesiology specialists, obstetrical specialists and vascular surgeons, were working together to try to save the woman’s life.
This is the first death in childbirth VCH has seen in at least two and a half years, she added.
The newborn twins have since been transferred to Vancouver Women’s Hospital. Liu’s father arrived in Richmond from China Tuesday to help arrange Liu’s funeral with her mom and husband.
Yu’s parents are applying for visas from China to come to Richmond.
“Liu’s mom still wouldn’t accept the fact that her daughter is gone. She kept saying, she is just on a business trip far away, she will be back,” Liu’s friend Caryn Zhang told the News.
Another friend David Shao said Liu’s five-year-old son seems to sense what has happened to his mom, although no one has told him yet, as Shao said they are not sure what to do with him at this point.
Zhang said the news was a blow to her because Liu was very healthy when she went to the hospital, and they were all congratulating her on having twins.
“The couple are very good-hearted people. When I heard the terrible news (Sunday) morning I thought I was still dreaming. How did it ever happen?” asked Zhang.
Zhang said the family doesn’t want to comment on the cause of death and who may be responsible before more information is provided. They also believe the incident will be treated fairly and justly.
The current challenge is taking care of the children, who have just lost their mom, she noted.
A fundraising campaign was started to support the family.
“Yu is a hotel worker and can’t afford homecare for his kids,” said Zhang.
“We told him, we must get daycare for the kids. They are still very vulnerable. Your wife would have wanted to see that as well."
Zhang said they have received a lot of donations and help regarding funeral arrangements and childcare.
The Chinese consulate in Vancouver has also agreed to help speed up the visa application process for Yu’s parents.
“Yu said he hasn’t made a great contribution to society, and asked why he deserves all of this," said Zhang.
"I told him, you don’t have to give to receive. I’m sure people with a good heart like you will give it back to society in the future.”
People who want to help the family can email to [email protected] or call 778-892-1228.
