After three years of infertility, IVF treatment and pregnancy loss, Cheree finally welcomed her son Teddy into the world.
In this deeply honest conversation, Cheree shares the emotional road from deeply wanting to become a mother to navigating a pregnancy complicated by rapidly rising liver function tests and an unexpected emergency caesarean birth at 37 weeks.
When concerns around Teddy's wellbeing escalated, Cheree's carefully planned birth took an unexpected turn. Teddy required support in Special Care Nursery immediately after birth, forcing an unexpected separation during those first precious hours of motherhood.
Five weeks postpartum, Cheree reflects on:
- Her three-year journey through infertility and IVF
- The emotional impact of pregnancy after loss
- Developing significant liver complications during pregnancy
- Monitoring, testing and navigating uncertainty in late pregnancy
- How her planned birth changed unexpectedly
- Undergoing an emergency caesarean birth at 37 weeks
- Teddy's admission to Special Care Nursery for respiratory support
- Missing the "golden hour" she had hoped for
- Reuniting with Teddy and establishing breastfeeding
- The realities of breastfeeding a late preterm baby
- Nipple vasospasm, cracked nipples and seeking lactation support
- Recovering physically and emotionally from a caesarean birth
- Creating a strong postpartum support plan with her husband Nick
- Introducing Teddy to their beloved dog, Franklin
- What birth after infertility taught her about trust, advocacy and flexibility
- Why informed decision-making matters throughout pregnancy and birth
Cheree's story is a powerful reminder that birth doesn't always unfold according to plan, but even when the path changes, there can still be beauty, strength and deep empowerment in the experience.
**Want more?**
You can find episode photos over at:
https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/
You can find me at:
https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/
You can find Cheree at:
https://www.instagram.com/chereeanne\_/
https://www.tiktok.com/@chereeanne?\r=1&\t=ZS-969wuVodRdl
