For parents-to-be Peta Mackay and Michael “Dickie” Absalom, the joy of an impending birth comes after a grueling fertility journey and is compounded by the challenges of remote living. Residing on Lindon Station, a cattle property in Corner Country—the rugged region where New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia converge—the couple must navigate not only high-risk pregnancy concerns but also the logistical hurdles of living far from medical care.
Ms. Mackay’s antenatal care requires a 2,000-kilometer round trip to Adelaide every two weeks—a daunting task she has undertaken alone.
“I drive all of Tuesday, 14 hours, have my appointment, stay overnight [in Adelaide], and then drive to Broken Hill, stay there, and return to the station on Thursday,” Ms. Mackay explained.
With her baby due in late January, Ms. Mackay is preparing for her final journey to Adelaide, where she plans to give birth.
Ms. Mackay’s situation is not unique. For many women in Australia’s vast and remote regions, accessing prenatal care involves significant travel and logistical planning. Isolation, coupled with the demanding nature of life on remote properties, adds to the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy.
Lindon Station, managed by Ms. Mackay and Mr. Absalom, exemplifies the remote lifestyle: searing heat, red dust, and the unrelenting demands of cattle work. Yet, for Ms. Mackay, these challenges pale compared to the strain of her fortnightly treks for medical care.
The couple’s high-risk pregnancy is the culmination of years of heartache. After three years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, including preparing for IVF, Ms. Mackay and Mr. Absalom were stunned to discover they had conceived naturally.
The moment of realization came just after they returned home from an 18-hour drive to pick up their first IVF kit in Adelaide.
“We’d just gotten back to Corner Country, and I decided to take one last pregnancy test—just to be sure,” Ms. Mackay recalled. The result? She was pregnant.
Ms. Mackay’s story highlights the resilience and determination of families in remote Australia. While the distances and challenges may seem insurmountable, the couple’s journey reflects the strength of hope and the drive to overcome adversity.
As the due date approaches, the couple is counting down the days, looking forward to welcoming their long-awaited child into their uniquely Australian way of life.
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