After 18 months of infertility, surgery for endometriosis, and IVF treatment, Helen and her husband Dave finally fell pregnant with their daughter Clara, their only viable embryo from their first IVF round.
At just 20 weeks, their world changed. Clara was diagnosed with severe Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and specialists warned she was unlikely to survive the pregnancy. Helen and Dave were told stillbirth was the most likely outcome.
Determined to give Clara every chance possible, the family continued the pregnancy under intensive monitoring, navigating heartbreaking decisions week by week as Clara remained dangerously small.
At 29 weeks gestation, worsening blood flow and heart rate concerns led to an emergency caesarean at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Clara was born weighing just 499.7 grams — smaller than a loaf of bread.
Clara spent 103 days in NICU and Special Care Nursery, battling pneumonia, chronic lung disease, and life-threatening complications. At one stage, her survival chances were described as 50/50.
Today, Clara is thriving. While still receiving developmental support, she is described as bright, bubbly, cheeky, and incredibly resilient.