Lifestyle influencer Leah Jay Ramsey, 35, has revealed a new tattoo to honor her late daughter, Rowe. The infant passed away months after Ramsey underwent emergency open-heart surgery while pregnant.
Ramsey shared the tattoo on Instagram on July 20. The body art, inked on her forearm, depicts a drawing of her late daughter's heartbeat. "Her heartbeat," Ramsey wrote in the post's caption.
Ramsey and her husband, Michael, who reside in Texas, first announced Rowe's death on June 11. In an Instagram post, they shared a photo from a hospital room, with Michael holding the baby. "Our daughter. Rowe," Ramsey's post began. "The strongest little girl we will never get to know. You made it through infections and multiple surgeries, even when the odds were against you. But it just wasn’t your time. We are absolutely devastated. Rest peacefully. Love always, mom, dad and your big brother Reeves."
The loss came months after Ramsey experienced a year-long illness, initially suspected to be an autoimmune disease. However, doctors discovered a strep infection in her blood and a blood clot in her leg, which had swollen significantly. The infection had been present for a year.
Ramsey detailed the rapid progression of her illness on Instagram, explaining that infectious disease specialists confirmed the blood infection. Cardiac surgery revealed a vegetation on her heart valve, requiring high-risk obstetrics to monitor the baby throughout. Ramsey underwent three instances of being put under anesthesia, two major surgeries, multiple blood transfusions, and the open-heart surgery while pregnant.
The six-hour open-heart surgery involved replacing a heart valve and required her heart to be stopped for 80 minutes. Ahead of the procedure, Michael Ramsey noted the significant risks to the baby but stated Leah was the priority. He expressed that Leah was doing well and demonstrating bravery throughout the process.
Ramsey documented her recovery journey on Instagram, including graduating from cardiac rehabilitation on May 27. She and Michael are also parents to a three-year-old son, Reeves.