I lost my first baby. Then, 23 weeks into my second pregnancy, I looked down after this photo was taken and was faced with my worst nightmare

WARNING: This story contains information about infant loss and stillbirth that may be distressing for some Courtney Matulis was just 12 hours into her maternity leave at 23 weeks pregnant when she felt as though she was going into labour. Courtney was just 12 hours into her maternity leave and taking photos with friends when she noticed blood pouring down her leg 'I was crying, screaming, "I can't do this again, I can't lose another baby",' she said. Mum Courtney Matulis gave birth to her son Maverick at just 23 weeks who spent five months in the ICU fighting a deadly infection Savannah-Jane, born December 2021 After almost a decade of trying both naturally and through IVF, Courtney had finally fallen pregnant. Courtney said Maverick is her 'little fighter' as he miraculously pulled through and now living as a happy 16-month-old 'I laid on the bed and didn't look at the screen because I really didn't want them to say there's no heartbeat. Maverick stayed in the NICU until February then was moved to special care and, five months after he was born, well enough to finally go home on March 18 with a feeding tube and oxygen Courtney describes finally having her baby home as a 'bittersweet' experience.