Theodore, 32 weeks

Miracle mum Sarah shares Theodore's story:

Theodore was our 11th round of IVF. After such a long journey, we never truly believed we would have our miracle. Then there he was – almost too good to be true. Every scan brought more joy and hope as we watched him grow.

At around 24 weeks, I was admitted to hospital with high blood pressure and spent a week there while doctors worked to bring it under control with medication. At every appointment, I told my midwife I felt I had pre-eclampsia, but because no protein was showing in my urine, it couldn't be confirmed.

At my second glucose tolerance test, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which was fortunately managed through diet. From then on, I was monitored even more closely.

I was referred for additional growth scans to monitor Theodore's development. At my 32-week scan, I knew something was wrong as soon as I saw the sonographer's face. I was sent straight to the Women's Assessment Unit at Nepean Hospital, where I was told Theodore was measuring two weeks behind. I was admitted immediately, and the plan was to deliver him by caesarean section in two weeks' time.

Three days later, everything changed. In the middle of the night, my blood pressure suddenly spiked to 200/100. I was rushed to the birthing unit, where the doctors and nurses did everything they could to stabilise it, but it just wouldn't come down. My kidneys were beginning to fail, and the decision was made to perform an emergency caesarean section.

At 32 weeks and 6 days, our perfect little Theodore was born.

After spending a night in ICU myself, I was finally able to meet my beautiful little boy.

Theodore initially required CPAP to help him breathe, and after a week he was transitioned to high-flow oxygen. By his second week, he was well enough to move to Special Care, where he spent the next three weeks learning how to breastfeed and grow stronger each day.

He came home at 38 weeks' gestation, but just two days later he experienced a breathing episode and was readmitted to NICU for another week. It was heartbreaking, but once again he showed us just how strong he was.

Now Theodore is almost two years old. He is full of energy, personality and joy. Looking back, we would not change our journey for anything. It has shaped us into the family we are today and reminds us every day just how precious our little miracle truly is.