After six heartbreaking miscarriages and years of grieving, Queensland TV reporter Pippa Sheehan says her ‘heart is full’ after welcoming miracle baby Monty at Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital on Wednesday.
The Channel 10 reporter said being able to hold her baby boy in her arms was “absolutely wonderful”.
“I helped deliver Monty onto my chest and it was absolutely the best feeling,” Ms Sheehan said.
“I felt so strong and empowered, and this was an incredibly restorative and precious time for us as a family.
“Our three-year-old son Alfie knew each time I was pregnant, and to be able to tell him Monty is finally here was so wonderful and special.”
Obstetrician Dr Will Milford from Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital and Kindred Midwifery and Obstetrics delivered Monty at 6.20pm on Wednesday (26 July), weighing 3.4kg.
Dr Milford said it was a great privilege to be a part of a family’s journey, especially those who have grieved previous pregnancy losses.
“Being present at birth and supporting a family at this special time never gets old – it is always amazing to witness the emotion as a baby is born,” Dr Milford said.
Ms Sheehan has openly shared her pregnancy loss journey to provide some comfort to other mothers who have lost children.
She said the grief of losing her unborn babies, including twins, never fully went away and she had simply developed coping strategies.
After suffering hyperemesis (a severe type of nausea and vomiting) at the start of her pregnancy with Monty, Ms Sheehan said it was a joy to be able to “eat and feel like eating once it had passed”.
“I did a hypnobirthing course and I listened to lots of podcasts throughout my pregnancy,” she said.
“I’m also an artist, so I painted a lot in the final few days before I gave birth. It’s a form of meditation and mindfulness for me and it was so lovely.”
After giving birth, Ms Sheehan had a two-night stay at Emporium Hotel South Bank as part of Mater’s offering, designed to offer support – and a little well-earned luxury – to eligible Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane mums.
“Every single person we’ve had contact with at Mater Mothers’ has been so supportive and kind – we are so grateful to have the level of care we do, and to be surrounded by the warmth we are,” Ms Sheehan said.
