My baby had surgery IN MY WOMB!
Woman's Day Australia|January 23, 2023
Baby Ethan received life-saving surgery before he was born
My baby had surgery IN MY WOMB!

Carla Sikes and her partner Mick McElhenny held each other and wept in the hospital carpark. They'd just been told their baby boy had spina bifida, which can result in severe disabilities.

"The obstetrician explained my baby's spinal cord and nerves were exposed in an open, clear sack on his back. There was no skin covering it," says Carla, 33.

The mum from Yeppoon, Queensland, who was 20 weeks pregnant at the time, felt her whole world implode. "I was in shock. I wasn't expecting that or any diagnosis. Once it sunk in, I was an emotional wreck."

But there was a glimmer of light in the darkness. Carla's obstetrician at Rockhampton's Mater Private Hospital explained surgery to repair the spine could be done once bub was born - or possibly even in utero. It wasn't a cure, but it could improve the baby's mobility and chances of walking independently.

It was a lot to take in, but Carla and Mick, 37, who run a construction company together, knew they had to be strong for the journey ahead.

"We made the decision there and then that we would do anything for our baby. No matter what," she tells Woman's Day.

Denne historien er fra January 23, 2023-utgaven av Woman's Day Australia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 23, 2023-utgaven av Woman's Day Australia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WOMAN'S DAY AUSTRALIASe alt
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'

We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
Woman's Day Australia

5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH

His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Rolling the DICE
Woman's Day Australia

Rolling the DICE

Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Woman's Day Australia

UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE

Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
Woman's Day Australia

OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!

When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'

The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
Woman's Day Australia

KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'

He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
Woman's Day Australia

GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!

The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman's Day Australia

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
Woman's Day Australia

ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD

He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024