Unexpected joy: Aurelio struggles after mysterious pregnancy

Unexpected joy: Aurelio struggles after mysterious pregnancy

Did you know that pregnant women sometimes have no idea how lucky they are? This is what happened to a 38-year-old mother from Tuttlingen who found out about her pregnancy on Valentine's Day, much later than expected - in the seventh month. Despite some symptoms of discomfort, previous tests had come back negative, so she blamed the stress of everyday life for her symptoms. Her family lives in a small space with only one income and has a lot to deal with at the moment. Six-year-old Alina in particular needs a lot of attention due to cancer and often has to struggle with the consequences of her serious illness.

The youngest addition to the family, Aurelio, was born on May 1st. With a birth weight of 2,095 grams and a height of 43 centimeters, he was a premature baby as doctors estimated the birth at 34 weeks. Aurelio suffered a series of health problems immediately after his birth, including a ruptured membrane, an infection and hypoglycemia, which led to a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit. Luckily, the family was allowed to take Aurelio home after two weeks.

Aurelio's development

After returning home, a new phase began for the family. Aurelio needs regular bottles, weight checks and specialist visits, and a port-wine stain is also being treated, which requires additional doctor visits. At six months old, Aurelio already weighs almost seven kilos and is developing well, which gives the family a ray of hope. Nevertheless, everyday life remains challenging.

Alina, who will attend a special needs school, also needs special care because of the side effects of her tablet therapy. She struggles with weight gain, satiety problems and memory lapses, which is also due to the stresses in her everyday life. The family is often confronted with hurtful comments about Alina's weight and prejudice because of Aurelio's fire mark, which does not make an already difficult situation any easier. A lack of space in the apartment in addition to the challenges of having a dog doesn't make life any easier.

Support offers for affected parents

The German Red Cross offers extensive pregnancy advice for families in similar situations. This institution supports pregnant women with questions about family planning, contraception, as well as relationship and sexual problems. The consultations are free of charge and are subject to strict confidentiality. This is particularly important because in emotionally stressful situations, sufficient time is given to deal with the situation.

It is particularly helpful that the consultations also offer support after the birth. This could be important for the family from Tuttlingen in order to be able to better cope with difficult everyday life. A qualitative study also showed that parents of children who previously had cancer often report exhaustion and stress that persists after treatment, even when everyday life has returned to normal. Openness in communication and leisure activities can help to overcome the special challenges.

Deborah Heitzer, Aurelio and Alina's mother, has one clear wish for the coming year: a larger home and an environment that is free of stigmatization. She hopes for more understanding and support for her family so that they can lead a happy and contented life despite all the challenges.