Jesse Ramien and partner Shell seek help to return home after distressing childbirth ordeal in Bali
Cronulla Sharks veteran Jesse Ramien and partner Shell are desperately seeking help to return home after their second child arrived with a distressing ordeal in Bali.
Shell was 33 weeks pregnant when the couple and their one-year-old son Tallen recently travelled overseas for a family friend’s wedding.
Just three days into the trip, she went into early labour — leading to an emergency C-section with mum under anaesthetic and baby boy Teo needing five minutes of resuscitation.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ramien, 27, was not in the room for the operation.
Teo was rushed into a neonatal intensive care unit and the parents did not meet their son until the next morning, according to family friend Shavaun, the partner of Ramien’s teammate Royce Hunt.
The family has been torn apart since with the parents still yet to hold Teo, who remains in an incubator, and older son Tallen returning home after Shell’s mother rushed to Bali to help.
Just when they will be reunited in Australia remains to be seen given the baby’s sensitive condition.
“There’s just so much uncertainty here. We’ve been told by doctors it could be four weeks before our baby is okay to travel, but that could quickly change to five, six, or seven weeks, who knows,” Ramien told News Corp.
“We’re doing everything to contact the Australian embassy to see how we can get home both as quickly as possible, so that our boy can get the medical attention he needs.”
A GoFundMe has already raised more than $25,000 but another $100,000 would be required to get Teo home on an emergency medical flight.
“I’ll play for nothing just to get our baby boy home safely,” Ramien said.
Shell, who received clearance from her obstetrician and the airline before travelling, ensured her pregnancy was covered by a top travel insurance package.
However, Teo’s medical costs — tallying more than $20,000 so far — are not included.
Cronulla told 7NEWS.com.au they are working with government officials to complete paperwork.
“Home soon my boy,” Ramien wrote on Instagram.
Shell wrote: “Won’t be long my boy, we be home soon.”
The names of Ramien’s Sharks teammates Nicho Hynes, Briton Nikora, Blayke Brailey and Braden Uele are among the top donations.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
