Generosity helping create families: the Adams family
In mid-2025, Hervey Bay couple Emily and Andy Adams were still adjusting to news they were expecting twins when a routine 20-week pregnancy scan detected serious complications.
Referred to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) acclaimed Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) unit, it was confirmed their unborn son, Jackson, had a rare structural disorder. MFM also identified problems with his twin sister’s growth.
“There were issues with Amelia’s growth – she was quite underweight. Placenta-cord problems meant that she wasn't getting enough nutrients,” Emily said.
“We had a team of doctors, midwives and social workers dedicated to our care throughout my pregnancy.”
Baby Jackson’s genetic condition meant that he was, sadly, stillborn. But the care the family received, Emily said, meant they were able to bring their baby girl home.
“When I went into labour, it felt like there was about 30 people in the room: the surgeon and theatre assistants, nurses and two sets of neonatal resuscitation teams.
“Amelia was only 1.4 kilos at her birth, so they took her straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Thanks to their care, she had no major issues and met all her little milestones so quickly.”
Sharing their experience
Despite facing such a complicated and difficult pregnancy, Emily and Andy shared their story to highlight the unimaginable impact of support for research and patient care innovation.
“It warms my heart because we don't even know the people who donate, but they’re part of the reason that we were able to get through such a traumatic experience,” said Emily.
“The fact that people are willing to help other families like ours to get through things like this and have healthy babies is amazing, really. It means the world - the absolute world,” Emily said.
With one in ten pregnancies affected by a largely silent complication that can threaten a baby's survival, health and long-term development; research is vital to improve outcomes for these vulnerable patients.
Fetal growth restriction increases the risk of complications before, during and after birth and puts babies at risk of lifelong conditions affecting organs including the heart, lungs and brain. Even so, it remains widely underdiagnosed – something that RBWH clinicians insist must change.
“Fetal growth restriction affects about one in ten pregnancies, and most parents never see it coming. Unlike many complications, it’s often silent until it’s advanced,” said Associate Professor Renuka Sekar, Clinical Lead of RBWH Maternal and Fetal Medicine.
“What gives us hope is that research is changing this - blood tests taken during pregnancy are beginning to show us early warning signs of a struggling placenta, long before babies show distress on ultrasound.
“With more research funding, we can move from detecting problems late to protecting babies earlier, to reduce the number of families facing the fear of growth‑restricted pregnancies.”
The care of RBWH staff and the generosity of RBWH Foundation donors gives hope to families, like the Adams. Your support helps fund and raise awareness of the research, equipment and care that give patients a future.
Find out how you can show your support or send a thank you here
