SA’s Cutest Toddler: Para Hills mum Celia De Pretis overcomes all odds to be the proud mother of Mason

Doctors warned she would never have children but determined Celia De Pretis battled through endless surgeries and heartbreaking miscarriages in her quest to become a mother.

After being diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer at 22 years of age, Celia De Pretis was told she would never be able to have children.

A routine pap smear revealed the devastating news to Ms De Pretis who was advised to undergo a hysterectomy, but as a young woman with dreams of starting a family this wasn’t an option for her.

Mason with mum Celia De Pretis at their home. Celia has been dealing with Cancer before the birth of Mason. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“All I ever wanted was to be a mum so I decided to undergo 12 surgeries in 14 months and six months of chemotherapy,” Ms De Pretis said.

While these treatments helped Ms De Pretis get her cancer under control, doctors still doubted her ability to fall pregnant.

But a determined Ms De Pretis wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“I literally sat down in my oncologist’s room and said to him, watch me have children,” she said.

Ms De Pretis and her partner, Johnathon Case, sought fertility help and in October 2020, they naturally conceived but sadly lost the baby.

“It was okay because that was further than we had ever got, so that was a positive,” Ms De Pretis said.

The Para Hills couple, motivated by the knowledge that they could fall pregnant, continued to try for their miracle baby and fell pregnant, but unfortunately miscarried once again.

Ms De Pretis said she has “every test under the sun” and was advised to begin taking medication to assist with her fertility journey.

Mason Case with mum Celia De Pretis at their home. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Finally, after years of heartbreak Ms De Pretis and Mr Case had their son, Mason in January 2022.

“I never thought I’d get him, he literally is my rainbow,” Ms De Petris said.

“On his wall we have a quote and it says, ‘We had a wish and you came true’.”

Against all odds, Ms De Petris gave birth to her second son last year, with five month old Hudson completing the family of four.

“We had another miscarriage between the boys in which I almost lost my life because I was haemorrhaging and they said Celia, it’s time to have a hysterectomy and I said no, I want to have one more baby,” she added.

“We now have two little miracles after being told that I would never, ever have children and after having my cancer come back for the second time.”

Two-year-old Mason Case is an entrant in The Advertiser’s Cutest Toddler Competition Picture: Keryn Stevens

Now two years old, Mason is known for his cute dimples, warm eyes and cheeky nature.

“He is so defiant and independent and has to do everything on his own but in the next breath, he is the most loving little boy,” Ms De Pretis said.

“I cannot go anywhere without someone stopping me going, oh my god, he’s so gorgeous.”

Hudson is an entrant in The Advertiser’s Cutest Toddler Competition. If you or someone you know is raising an adorable little person between the ages of 1-3 who you think deserves the title, nominate below. Nominations will close on May 7 at 8am, with finalists being put to a vote.

You must be a digital subscriber to vote. One only vote per subscriber will be recorded.

The winner will be revealed at a later date. Read the full terms and conditions here.