Teresa's Story

Sunday Herald Sun, November 7, 2004

Teresa Streckfuss knew the baby she was carrying would die shortly after birth. At 12 weeks, her baby was diagnosed with anencephaly, a rare disorder that inhibits brain development.

But Teresa, 27, and her husband Mark, 28, decided to proceed.

In June, their daughter Charlotte Mary was born, but died six days later. It was the second time Mr and Mrs Streckfuss, of Creswick near Ballarat, had lost a child from the condition.

In 2001, Mrs Streckfuss was told her unborn baby had anencephaly, but the couple decided to continue the pregnancy. Their son Benedict, died 24 hours after being born.

Mrs Streckfuss said they wanted to meet their children and say goodbye. "The issue was about them, not how hard it would be for us to continue the pregnancy," she said.