A new father has been forced to make a harrowing decision between his wife and unborn child.
Frederick Connie and his wife Keyvonne were expecting a baby girl in January, but things went terribly wrong when Ms Connie began haemorrhaging at their home in Colorado in November.
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She was immediately rushed to hospital, and it was there that Mr Connie was told that he would have to choose between two options.
"It was either give her the surgery first and maybe save her life, but you're going to lose your daughter, or your daughter can be saved but there's a chance you may lose your wife."
He made the agonising decision to save their baby - and to his horror, he lost his wife minutes after the procedure.
"The tried [to save her] and her heart couldn't take it," he told Fox31. "She died before they even got her to the surgery."
His daughter - who Mr Connie named Angelic Kevonne Connie, after his wife - now faces weeks in hospital while she recovers from her traumatic birth.
Mr Connie's friend has launched an appeal to raise money for the new father, and to support him through his grief.
"He has always been a hard worker during the time I have known him, and always provided for his family," he wrote.
"I can't imagine a more difficult time than this in a person's life".
The friend was also calling for anyone who could help with daycare, cleaning and babysitting.
"I'm [ignorant] on changing diapers but I'm going to learn. I'm going to be a full time father to her," said Mr Connie.
Newshub.