Carissa Morris and her husband Dave have eagerly anticipated their first Christmas with their long-awaited baby, Oliver, who arrived on December 17, 2021, after an arduous 13-year journey of trying to conceive.

The couple, Carissa aged 33 and her husband Dave aged 32, residing in Wickham, Western Australia, finally welcomed their beautiful son Oliver on the aforementioned date. Carissa has faced the heart-wrenching experience of enduring eight miscarriages, her longing for a daughter a part of a challenging fertility struggle. Reflecting on their ordeal, Carissa, a technical planner, shared, “We have been trying for years to have a natural baby. We conceived several times initially, but we encountered repeated miscarriages that never extended beyond six weeks.”

After undergoing tests, they discovered that one of Carissa’s fallopian tubes was blocked, leading to toxic fluid flowing back into her uterus. This revelation prompted the removal of her tubes. Further investigations revealed male fertility issues as well. The couple’s path then led them to pursue ICSI IVF, a process involving the direct insertion of sperm into embryos. Although their initial IVF round yielded just one viable embryo for transfer, two weeks later, Carissa found out she was pregnant. The elation she felt was unparalleled, only surpassed by the joy of holding little Oliver.

Born at St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Oliver weighed a healthy 6 lbs 7 oz. However, he faced breathing difficulties shortly after birth, resulting in an extended stay at the hospital. Carissa recounted how his oxygen levels plummeted, leading to immediate intubation and several hours of medical intervention.

The Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS) was eventually called in to transfer Oliver via ambulance. Carissa’s initial touch of his chin prior to his departure became a cherished memory, making the subsequent ability to hold him even more miraculous.

Despite the hurdles, Carissa and Dave remained overjoyed, eagerly awaiting the day when Oliver would be strong enough to come home. Although he is currently being fed through a nasogastric tube and faces challenges like reflux, the couple cherishes every moment with him in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Their Christmas plans have been altered by Oliver’s hospitalization, but their hearts are filled with gratitude for the progress he’s making. Carissa expressed her happiness at seeing their journey culminate in a miracle, and while they had hoped for an earlier discharge, they find solace in the care he’s receiving. They look forward to celebrating their first Christmas as a family when Oliver is finally home, surrounded by presents and the warmth of love and gratitude.