Visitation Today For The Mother of Triplets Who Died in Childbirth

KALAMAZOO (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A mother of triplets gave the ultimate sacrifice for her newborn babies.

Tina Hagenbuch died just a short time after giving birth at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo this week.

Something went wrong during Tina's C-section. She died about half an hour after the third baby was born.

Jake Stiteler says his best friends Jeff and Tina Hagenbuch were unbelievably excited about having triplets. Stiteler and his wife were with the Hagenbuch's at Bronson Methodist Hospital on Tuesday, when Tina prepared for the delivery.

"Tina was her normal self, she was smiling, and walking around," says Stiteler.

When Doctor's began to perform a c-section, the first baby to arrive was a boy, the couple named Teegan.

Tina was able to meet the first of the triplets. "She did get to see the first baby born," but then Stiteler says something went wrong.

The complications began as baby girl Trinity was being delivered. Seconds later, the last of the triplets, little girl Rowan was born.

About a half an hour later after all three babies were delivered, Tina died. Now, Jeff Hagenbuch is suddenly a single dad of triplets.

As Stiteler thinks about his friend Jeff's future he considers how tough it is for two parents to raise triplets "but for a single father who just lost his wife, it's unbelievable the difficulty," says Stiteler.

He says Tina was always the rock among their group of friends. A group that's not sure what to do next, overwhelmed with such a mix of emotions.

Stiteler says one thing is certain, "the kids will know, they had a great mom."

Now family friends and community members are reaching out to Tina's husband Jeff as he prepares to raise the triplets.

When 42-year old Tina Hagenbuch found out she was pregnant with triplets, she got in touch with the Kalamazoo area group of Mothers of Multiples.

Kris Vogel instantly connected with Tina, as Vogel has two year old triplets.

"She was a positive person," Vogel says remembering Hagnebuch. Vogel was devastated to learn her new friend died on Tuesday from complications during the delivery of the triplets.

"She took such good care of herself, she took so many precautions," Vogel says.

The Mothers of Multiples group now wants Tina's husband Jeff to know that they are more than willing to help the single dad of triplets.

Group member Holly Scheuer says there are many issues only other parents of multiples can understand when it comes to raising several children of the same age.

"Although we may not help with the grieving aspect... We'll provide help on the children," says Scheuer.

A fund is set up. Here's how you can help.

Checks Payable To: Jeffrey Hagenbuch

Memo Line: "Tina's Memorial Fund"

Address: Consumer's Credit Union, 5940 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Visitation For Tina Hagenbuch is On Saturday, Dec. 22nd

2-4 pm

6-8 pm

Langeland Funeral Home

6121 Kings Highway in

Comstock

Tina also leaves behind two daugthers. Skye, 22, and Tylar, 14.