Vote now for SA’s cutest miracle baby 2021

The stories of SA’s miracle babies are so inspiring. See how bubs like baby like baby Anniselle Othams-Schmiauke came into the world, read their stories and vote.

We put out the call to find SA’s cutest babies and we were overwhelmed by stories of your miracle babies whose welcomes to the world were more challenging than some.

From years of IVF and fertility treatments to babies born premature or unwell, these babies aren’t just some of the cutest in SA but also the toughest.

One of our finalists Anniselle – or Annie – Othams-Schmiauke made her way into the world after months of IVF, loss and heartbreak for parents Sage and Marc.

***SCROLL DOWN TO READ THEIR STORIES AND VOTE***

Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking for SA’s cheekiest baby, baby with the best smile and most stylish.

We’ll feature their stories in the Sunday Mail, alongside a professional, staged photo.

Voting will close at 3pm on Wednesday, May 26. Voting is limited to one vote per subscribers.

MIRACLE SURPRISE AFTER IVF JOURNEY

Baby Anniselle Othams-Schmiauke is one of the finalists in our hunt for SA's cutest miracle babies. Picture: Supplied

Knowing she’d always wanted to be a mum, 34-year-old Sage Othams started her own IVF journey using a sperm donor.

It was after months of IVF cycles, Ms Othams met her now partner Marc and something immediately “clicked” and the Port Augusta couple decided to continue treatments together.

After experiencing two miscarriages, Ms Othams started to doubt whether her rainbow baby would ever arrive.

“Throughout that whole process I had a real fear that maybe I wouldn’t be able to ever have a baby,” she said.

“I’ve always wanted to be a mother so I was really scared after losing our first one that that might’ve been my only chance.”

Baby Anniselle Othams-Schmiauke with her parents Sage and Marc. Picture: Supplied

But just days before starting another IVF cycle, the couple found out they had naturally conceived a baby who became their miracle baby – Anniselle “Annie” Othams-Schimauke.

Ms Othams had a smooth pregnancy and earlier this year baby Annie came into the world by emergency caesarean.

“After going through all of that she’s just so important to all of us and is just so loved,” Ms Othams said.

“It was a huge strain physically, financially and emotionally.

“IVF is not cheap, especially in South Australia where we don’t have bulk bill clinics like the other states.”

Now 11-week-old Annie is one of 19 babies in the running for SA’s cutest miracle baby in 2021.

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