Vogue Australia

Mother’s Day Vogue Voice Special

Mother-of-two volunteer firefighter Dr Joy Townsend discovered she was pregnant soon after risking her life during one of the most ferocious bushfires of the past summer.

It’s 8:30pm on Friday, December 6, 2019. I’ve been in bed since 5pm. I’m exhausted, but can’t get to sleep. The local grocery store and pharmacy haven’t been open all week and the highway is closed indefinitely. I text Luci, my close friend and fellow New South Wales Rural Fire Service brigade member.

‘You got a pregnancy test lying around at home?’

‘Sure do, babes.’