Mum gives birth while in a coma after refusing cancer treatment

A terminally ill mum of five gave birth to her sixth child this week, while in a coma she has been in for two months.

Michigan native Carrie DeKlyen was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and fast growing malignant tumour that can affect the brain and spinal cord, in April. But the mum opted to avoid an experimental treatment so that she could save her baby, which her family later named Life Lynn DeKlyen. According to Carrie's Facebook page, Cure 4 Carrie, Life was delivered on Wednesday at 24 weeks and 5 days, weighing 1 lb. and 4 oz. Now that little Life has arrived, Carrie's family said she has been taken off life support. In a post on the page, they said:

"Carrie is off all support and very comfortable she is in God's hands until he calls her home. Please pray for all of us."

Nick DeKlyen, Carrie's husband of 17 years, previously told People how his wife made the choice to refuse the trial and chemotherapy treatments to preserve the life of their unborn child. He added:

“The doctor said if you don’t terminate this baby, Carrie, you will die. “But it was Carrie’s decision and I said, ‘What do you want to do?’ She said, ‘We’re keeping it.'”

Nick has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the financial costs after he quit his job to care for his wife and their children.

“Her time is drawing near, but I know I’ll see her again, not in this life, but after my time is up. "She made the decision to give Life a chance at life.”

Featured image via Facebook/Cure 4 Carrie.