A Victorian woman’s pregnancy photo has gone viral this week, after she sent her heartwarming story into The Today Show.
Joanna McKee, a 40-year-old from Ballarat, revealed she was 25-weeks pregnant.
The mother-to-be said she had been trying for six years, where she endured nine rounds of IVF and suffered five heartbreaking miscarriages.
The Today Show‘s post has since received more than 10,000 reactions and 50 shares.
Speaking to Honey, Mckee said she and her husband Leigh, 44, immediately tried to start their family after marrying six and a half years ago.
“We conceived naturally, and I miscarried at about eight weeks. We didn’t worry too much at that point because we just thought it wasn’t meant to be and we’ll just go again,” she said, adding that they tried for one year.
McKee was then diagnosed with ‘severe’ endometriosis before undergoing an operation and later, trying IVF.
“Last year we lost twins at about 10 weeks, and that was really awful.”
“It’s been extremely tough financially. The only holidays we’ve had have been regional weekends away, or to Adelaide for the IVF treatments.”
McKee told The Daily Mail she hoped her story could give some hope to others in a similar position. She also added that the response to her photo had been overwhelming.
“The traction this has got is amazing, and not something I had anticipated when I sent my pic in for a selfie story.”
“I think goes to show how common it is – if you aren’t doing it then you probably know someone who is.”
Ms McKee said that while she is excited with the news, she and her husband are still wary.
“We’re obviously over the moon about getting this far but still nervous due to our history, and will be nervous until we are actually holding the baby,” she said.
“Our obstetrician in Ballarat has been amazing and very reassuring, he’s given us regular scans so that we can see the baby.”
“It’s been extremely tough – emotionally, physically and financially, but when a round didn’t work or we lost a pregnancy then we tried to focus on the positives.”
“We were never told it couldn’t happen for us which is why we carried on but we would have considered other options – adoption, for instance, if we had been told to stop trying.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with issues surrounding a miscarriage, stillborn or newborn death, contact Sands Australia for support and information.
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