MATERNITY NEWS
Kareena Private mum breastfeeds miracle twins despite mastectomy
Despite two separate breast cancer diagnoses, 30 sessions of radiation, nine
rounds of chemo and multiple cycles of immunotherapy Renata Macri has never
lost sight of being a mother.
Just two weeks after her fiancé Luis made a romantic helicopter wedding proposal, the Sydney
mum was given the devastating blow of a breast cancer diagnosis, after noticing a marble-sized
lump in her left breast.
After a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and immunotherapy, the couple were told to delay
motherhood for a few years, froze seven embryos and moved to San Francisco in 2014.
It was here, just three years after Renata’s first diagnosis at age 31, that she felt another sinister
lump in the same breast.
“The first diagnosis was tough; but the second was truly heartbreaking.”
“However, once we finally got through the second round of treatment in Sydney, we were eager
to have a baby and fell pregnant naturally with twins.”
The next twist on the couple’s emotional rollercoaster came when Renata developed pre-eclampsia,
causing her blood pressure to soar dangerously high, with Renata advised to deliver
fraternal twins Felix and Ziggy, by C-section at 35 weeks, at Kareena Private Hospital.
Kareena Private Hospital has a very high rate of breastfeeding mothers which is supported
by a team of lactation consultants and specially trained midwives and registered nurses.
“It’s hard enough trying to feed one baby with two breasts, and infinitely more difficult feeding
two babies with one breast!” Renata said.
“On top of that, premmies don’t have a sucking reflex at 35 weeks so the midwives at Kareena
helped us tube feeding round the clock every two hours. “When I was simply too exhausted,
I would express and they would take over.
“One of the special care nurses, Deb had also just gone through breast cancer herself
and having someone beside you who has shared the cancer experience, well that was
indescribable. By the time we left she was the twins’ second aunty and we came back for the
hospital’s overnight “rooming in” experience last week so we could see her again.”
Renata said being able to breastfeed premmie twins after two lots of breast cancer is “probably
one of the proudest achievements of my life.”
16 The Ramsay Way 2019 | 02
Renata and her fiancé Luis, twins Felix and Ziggy.
Ramsay’s own royal
delivery on the Gold Coast
In a case of happy coincidence, a baby born at
Pindara Private Hospital shares the same name and
birthday as Britain’s new royal, Prince Archie.
First-time parents Melanie Anderson and Hayden Richardson
welcomed Archie Jayce Richardson into their family on the
same day the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met their little
boy, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Archie Richardson was born on 6 May 2019, with help from
obstetrician Dr Clare Allanach, just hours apart from the
royal baby.
The couple had chosen the name Archie a few months before
the birth.
Mother Melanie Anderson said: “I think it’s quite amazing
how it’s all happened — same name, same birthday — it’s not
something you would ever expect.”
The name Archie means ‘genuine,’ ‘bold’ or ‘brave’ and is
usually the shortened form of Archibald, but is increasingly
being used on its own.
The couple wanted an uncommon name but have come
to terms with the fact that it may become more prevalent
following the royal birth.
“I feel like there’s going to be a lot of Archies now,”
Ms Anderson said.
The similarities between the two families continued
beyond a name and birth date – the Gold Coast family also
experienced a royal stay during their delivery.
Their accommodation – a luxurious Regal Suite at Pindara
Private Hospital – included a king size bed, complimentary
partner meals, all day in-room dining service, a welcome
platter on arrival, robes and slippers.
Patient Melanie Anderson, Dr Clare Allanach holding baby Archie,
and father Hayden Richardson.