Anthea Nicholas made headlines last year when, at 50, she became “Australia’s oldest mother to conceive naturally”. Journalist SELINA VENIER spoke to her and husband Peter Byrnes about their son’s birth
HE’S blissfully unaware of the media attention his birth conceived.
Nicholas Byrnes, who marked his first birthday on Friday (June 15), was baptised in Upper Coomera parish on May 12 amid tears of relief and celebration.
Anthea Nicholas and Peter Byrnes, who married in September 2010, were told their wish to be parents would remain unrealised.
As a result they fostered two teenage girls “for a couple of years to give something back”.
Feeling unwell, 49-year-old Anthea visited her doctor who suspected the onset of menopause.
“I had been sick for some time,” Anthea said.
“I was exhausted and my doctor said I needed to take some ‘time out’.”
Relieved she “wasn’t seriously ill”, telling the menopausal news to Peter was met with disappointment.
“Peter was devastated,” Anthea said.
“He told me it means we can never have a baby … (and) that he thought maybe one day it would happen.
“I had no idea he still was thinking like that.”
After witnessing Anthea “being violently ill” soon after, the 50-plus soon-to-be dad went online for information.
“Pete said to me the only difference between menopause and pregnancy is vomiting,” Anthea said of his findings.
“He bought a pregnancy test … he picked it.”
A positive result had Peter “jumping around and yahooing” while Anthea admitted to feeling fearful.
The duo “set off to buy two more pregnancy tests and all three of them came up the same”.
While Anthea was estranged from the Catholic Church she said her prayerfulness and belief in God “never stopped”.
She described her parents as devout Catholics.
About eight weeks pregnant at the time, a swag of tests followed and while some doctors were less than hopeful the baby would be born safe and well, Peter was always of the mindset “it was meant to be”.
“When I was pregnant Peter would pray every night with a hand on my tummy,” Anthea recalled, choking back tears.
Her doctor advised a caesarean section would take place if Anthea successfully carried the baby to 34 weeks gestation.
Nicholas Jay Byrnes – “named after our fathers” – came into the world perfectly healthy on June 15, 2011, sparking a barrage of media interest in Anthea, 50, “Australia’s oldest mother to conceive naturally”.
Gynaecologist Dr Andrew Cary – Anthea “worships the ground he walks on” – said the birth was “a miracle”.
“We received a very special gift,” the new mother said.
“(And) nobody but God gave us our precious Nicky.
“After he was born we just knew we had to say ‘thank you’.”
The family began worshipping in Upper Coomera parish, south of Brisbane, and met parish priest Fr Antony Vadakara.
“Fr Antony is a special man who emulates everything a priest should be,” Anthea said.
“He often spoke about issues that really related to us … We would walk out and think, ‘Wow, that was really relevant for us’.”
Peter, not a Catholic, said he too enjoyed attending Mass and jokes about being “surrounded by Catholics”.
“I’m surrounded by Catholics, yes, but do I mind? No,” he said.
“I believe Nicky has to be brought up knowing God.
“If we all believe in God then that’s a good start”.
The change in the family’s circumstances has meant a reshuffling of finances and priorities.
So Anthea is enjoying a break from “being years and years in property (real estate)” and delights in a “quality life with Nicky”.
Having kept a journal of her pregnancy she’s soon to release “First Time Mum at 50”.
“A friend of mine said to me, ‘Whether you end up grieving or having a successful birth, you will enjoy having a journal to look back on’,” Anthea said.
“I’m glad I took that advice … it made the writing of the book fairly easy … all the milestones were there.
“It’s a book of hope and inspiration especially for people who have been told they won’t be able to have a baby.”
Beaming Anthea has two other projects in mind – another book, called “Falling Pregnant”, “about how to look after yourself” for would-be parents pre-conception.
She’s also compiling stories of women conceiving in similar circumstances.
Back in the media spotlight on Mother’s Day recently Anthea said she had been “overwhelmed by so many emails” and interest.
And while he may not understand all the fuss at the moment, Nicholas is bound to understand one day that his life and purpose is God-given.
