Mudgeeraba couple’s miracle baby after IVF and tragic newborn death

A mother’s heartache at losing her six-day old daughter has been followed by the arrival of her “little blessing” - with the birth of new son Huey.

A mother’s heartache at losing her six-day old daughter has been followed by the arrival of her “little blessing” - with the birth of new son Huey.

Mudgeeraba couple Rochelle and Dylan Evrard lost their daughter Milli at just six days old in July 2023.

Born with an incurable and rare genetic disorder called nemaline rod myopathy, Milli had muscle weakness, hypoventilation and swallowing dysfunction.

Now nearly two years after the tragic passing of little Milli, Mrs Evrard called newborn baby Huey is her “little blessing”.

On May 2 and after four rounds of IVF their little miracle, Huey, was born.

“He’s amazing, he’s such a little blessing,” she said.

Rochelle Nicole Evrard with her baby Huey Hendrix Evrard 12 weeks old. Pic Annette Dew

“He’s so content, he’s the most chilled baby ever. He doesn’t cry and he sleeps so well.”

She said the pregnancy itself was filled with worry.

“It was stressful. Even though we knew he didn’t have the same condition as Milli,” Mrs Evrard said.

“All we could think was what if he does? What if he dies? It was so stressful.”

Because of the damage caused by her previous C-section with Milli, Mrs Evrard was unable to have a natural birth.

Little Huey needed to be delivered by caesarean at 37 weeks.

Forced to spend four days in special care.

“His little lungs weren’t quite ready,” Mrs Evrard said.

“It was traumatic for everyone, all of our family and friends and everyone watching couldn’t believe we had another baby in NICU, then sitting in the hospital room that night without our baby... we were like, here we go again.”

Rochelle Evrard cherishes every moment with little Milli. Photo: Heartfelt

The trauma stems from their horrifying ordeal when hours after Milli’s birth in 2023, she was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane, where sadly little Milli didn’t make it.

“It was incredibly traumatic,” Mrs Evrard said.

“My husband and I have been together for 16-and-a-half years and we tried to have a baby for a couple of years. We were just about to start IVF and then fell pregnant naturally.”

Pregnant for 39 weeks, Mrs Evrard shared concerns with her obstetrician ahead of Milli’s birth.

“I was worried – she didn’t really move much,” she said.

Dylan Evrard with baby Milli

“But because it was my first pregnancy, the OB just kept saying, ‘Oh, it’s your first pregnancy, you don’t really know what to feel for,’ which at the time made enough sense.

“I had all the scans done, all the tests – I had everything. It should have been fine.”

The couple went in for their planned C-section with every intention in the world they’d be returning home with their little girl.

“We booked a C-section as she was breech, which in hindsight was because of her condition – she didn’t have the strength to turn,” Mrs Evrard said.

“But the OB just thought maybe it was because of the shape of my uterus. We went in to birth our little girl not knowing anything was wrong with her – she had brittle bones and basically no muscles.”

Rochelle Nicole Evrard with her baby Huey Hendrix Evrard 12weeks old . Pic Annette Dew

Mrs Evrard’s uterus was cut twice in order to get baby Milli out.

She was born with both arms and legs broken.

Mrs and Mr Evrard said they went into shock – finding out her diagnosis four months later. The trauma, loss and their brief but powerful time with Milli is something they say they will never forget. A love they will cherish forever.

Now the family are making the most of the little moments with their boy Huey.

Their little miracle milk drunk on mum’s lap, cuddles with the family, and mum and bub nap time.

Originally published as Mudgeeraba couple’s miracle baby after IVF and tragic newborn death