Many married couples are familiar with the question of when they plan to have children, but for Charli Worgan and her husband Cullen, they often faced the question of “why.”
Based in Sydney, the couple both have different forms of dwarfism and frequently encounter public scrutiny, especially when Charli announced her pregnancy with their first child.
After welcoming their first daughter, the delighted Aussie mom decided to create a social media account to share insights about their family life, unaware of how popular it would become.
Recently, Charli revealed that she is 14 weeks pregnant with their third child, but the announcement came with mixed emotions.
With each pregnancy, Charli has had to undergo painful genetic testing. Due to their genetic conditions, their children could inherit one type of dwarfism (either from Charli or Cullen), be of average height, or potentially inherit both types, which doctors warn could be fatal.
Charli expressed the sorrow of not being able to celebrate the 12-week milestone in her pregnancy like many other mothers do.
“While most expectant mothers at 12 weeks are joyfully announcing their pregnancies, I was preparing for Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)—a procedure involving a large needle through my abdomen to collect a placenta sample, which carries a 2% risk of miscarriage, to test my baby’s genetic makeup.”
Their daughters, two-year-old Tully and four-year-old Tilba, have one of the two types of dwarfism. As Charli awaited news about her third baby, they were anxious to learn which of the four possibilities their child might have.
In her Instagram post, Charli outlined the potential outcomes:
- The baby could be of average height.
- The baby could have Achondroplasia, the same type of dwarfism as Charli.
- The baby could have Geleophysic Dysplasia, the same type of dwarfism as Cullen.
- The baby could inherit both genetic variations, known as “double dominant dwarfism,” which, according to medical professionals, would be fatal at birth. In that case, Charli would have the option to either continue the pregnancy or terminate it.
Charli candidly shared her anxiety about whether she would be able to welcome this new child into the world in March 2021 or if their journey would end prematurely.
By sharing her experiences publicly, Charli has faced criticism, which she also addressed in her post.
“I’ve received backlash for choosing to have children despite these odds, and that’s a conversation in itself. However, by sharing this small part of our story, I hope those who doubt can see that bringing a child into the world under these circumstances is a complex decision, and it’s all about kindness.”
Now, the couple has three beautiful children who are thriving, and they continue to share their family’s ups and downs.
Their baby boy, Rip, was born at the end of February, and Charli shared a heartfelt post featuring a picture of her with her newborn, along with some wise words for all parents.
“I’m tired but incredibly grateful and lucky. There’s no ‘correct’ way to do motherhood, but I firmly believe there’s no ‘wrong’ way either.”
Ultimately, Charli demonstrates that her parenting journey is relatable to many; countless parents understand the struggles and joys of raising children.
Her posts serve as an inspiration to all, and I wish this family continued health and happiness on their journey together. Please share.