Qld mum’s miracle baby after losing her child to cancer while pregnant

When Amelia was diagnosed with brain cancer at four months, it was devastating for her family. Her brother was conceived as she received treatment, but she didn’t live to meet him, or the sister that followed.

A Queensland mum who was pregnant with one child as she lost another to cancer has now found joy in welcoming a healthy baby girl.

Ipswich couple Serina Peries, 37, and partner Glen Stevens, 34, faced every parent’s worst nightmare when their daughter Amelia was diagnosed with brain cancer at just four months old.

Amid her treatment, the couple decided to try for another baby, in hopes the cord blood could help Amelia’s recovery.

However, when Ms Peries was just five months pregnant, Amelia passed away.

“It was hard for us all to come to terms with everything,” she said.

“Amelia was my partner’s first, it was quite hard for him to lose his first daughter.”

Amelia was diagnosed with brain cancer at four months. Picture: Supplied.

Amelia’s mum was five months pregnant when her daughter died. Picture Supplied.

But being pregnant during the devastating ordeal actually became the silver lining for the couple.

“It helped, it gave us something to look forward to. We had to try and stay positive, and knowing I was pregnant, I was trying not to be too stressed,” she said.

The couple welcomed their son Emmanuel, who’s now two years old. But just three weeks ago, they welcomed another baby, a little girl, Anika who was born at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane.

“I have been given so much to be hopeful for, the birth of Emmanuel and Anika has got me through some really dark times,” she said.

“Now I have a little girl who uses all Amelia’s toys and clothes. It’s bittersweet. I see life differently now, family is everything to me.”

Serina Peries with newborn daughter Anika Stevens. Picture: Annette Dew

The couple still works every year to keep Amelia’s memory alive through fundraisers and spreading awareness about childhood cancer.

“On her anniversary and birthday we’ll go to the hospital and leave gifts for the other kids on the cancer ward,” she said.

Now, Ms Peries is working together with another mother who lost her baby to cancer to create the Queensland paediatric Oncology Bereavement Support on Facebook support group for bereaved mothers of childhood cancer.

“We’re not professionals in any way, but it’s just an understanding of what we’re going through. It’s a safe space to complain or vent and there’s no judgment. We’re just creating that community,” she said.

Serina Peries with newborn daughter Anika and her son Emmanuel. Picture: Annette Dew