Melbourne mum is finally able to hug her baby on December 25 after infant was born four months early

Mum, 36, is left in tears as she is finally able to hug her miracle baby on Christmas Day after suffering ‘more miscarriages than she can count’

  • Amalia Dourdounis was born 16 weeks early and weighed just 411 grams 
  • Tiny baby has severe issues with her lungs and is currently living in an incubator 
  • Her mother Amanda Dourdounis wasn’t allowed to hold her until Christmas Day 

A mother who has suffered more miscarriages than she can remember sobbed as she held her baby for the first time on Christmas Day.

Amanda Dourdounis, 36, and her husband Angelo, from Melbourne, were terrified when their baby daughter Amalia was born 16 weeks at Monash Children’s Hospital on December 16.

Their tiny baby weighed just 411 grams – little more than a tin of beans – and could not breathe on her own.

Amalia has been living in an incubator but on Christmas Day doctors allowed her proud parents to hold her for the first time.

It was an incredible moment for the couple who have been trying to have a baby for five years.

They endured three rounds of intraterine insemination (IUI) before moving onto IVF, spending between $15,000 and $20,000. 

Amalia was born 16 weeks early in Monash Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Melbourne

Mrs Dourdounis fell pregnant following their second IUI treatment two years ago – but the couple were heartbroken when their daughter – Anastasia – was stillborn at 24 weeks.

They bravely decided to keep trying for another baby but they tragically suffered ‘countless’ miscarriages due to Mrs Dourdounis’ blood disorder, antiphospholipid syndrome. 

The condition puts people at great risk of developing blood clots and can prevent embryos from attaching in the womb.

Despite many setbacks the couple discovered in July that they were pregnant again.  

‘We were happy but there was a bit of trepidation, as you can imagine,’ Mr Dourdounis said. 

During her pregnancy, Mrs Dourdounis had an issue with her placenta which was brought on by medication she was taking to thin her blood, which prevents blood clots.

‘The only thing they said they could do at that point except prolong the amount of time until they had to deliver Amalia,’ Mr Dourdounis, 42, said.

‘They delivered some medications and it was about a week before bubba was showing some signs of distress.’

Mrs Dourdounis was rushed in for a caesarean and Amalia was born after just 24 weeks in the womb.  

Within 48 hours of her birth Amalia suffered a bleed in her lungs.

‘We felt like that was the beginning of the end of this chapter. She was very ill – everything was bumped up to 100 per cent,’ Mr Dourdounis said.

‘Doctors were shaking their head and apologising to us.’

Amalia has severe issues with her lungs and is currently living in an incubator

Amalia has severe issues with her lungs and is currently living in an incubator

But Amalia is a fighter and began to pull through.

For nine agonising days the couple were unable to hold their baby girl and it was only on December 25 that doctors allowed them to hold her for the first time. 

‘(Amanda) was on cloud nine,’ Mr Dourdounis said.

‘When they placed Amalia on Amanda her oxygen support requirement levels dropped to the lowest they have been. 

‘It showed how comfortable she was.’

The couple’s family have been supporting them throughout this difficult time and have started a fundraising page.

Her parents, Amanda and Angelo Dourdounis, have suffered more miscarriages than they can remember

Her parents, Amanda and Angelo Dourdounis, have suffered more miscarriages than they can remember

On Christmas Day the pair shared their first cuddle and Mrs Dourdounis was over the moon

On Christmas Day the pair shared their first cuddle and Mrs Dourdounis was over the moon

A fundraising page has been set up to help raise money and cover medical costs.

Mr Doudouris, who is a self-employed electrical contractor, has also had to stop work and the couple are at the hospital twice a day to look after Amalia. 

He said he is so thankful for the help he has received and intends to pay it forward as he knows others are in the same position. 

A fundraising page for Amalia can be found here. 

 

 

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