As parents we were given the worse news imaginable at our 20 week scan - our baby's heart had not formed properly and she would need life saving Open Heart Surgery soon after birth. 

A referral to Southampton Hospital offered us a real lifeline of support and chance of survival - being one of the top Children's Cardiac Surgical Units in the UK. 

We had to make the difficult decision to induce labour slightly early at the Princess Ann Hospital in Southampton to ensure the proper help was on hand to help Olivia once she was born. 

Olivia spent a night on the neonatel ward before having her first ambulance ride across the road to the main hospital where she stayed with me on the Ocean Ward until her Open heart Surgery.

It was a very emotional time having just given birth and not coming home to bond with Olivia. But the nurses were very encouraging and helped me bond with Olivia. Amazingly I was able to feed her and Dad was able to give her a first bath. All the normal mum and dad things we had been waiting to do for so long. Amelia was also able to come and meet Olivia and stay overnight.

It was explained to us that without the medicine Prostin the duct in Olivia's heart would start to close in 5 days and without the surgery she would become seriously unwell and not survive. We never lift Olivia's bedside.

Olivia had surgery at 9 days old for complete reconstruction of aortic arch, VSD (hole in the heart) and Tricuspid valve repair. At this stage they did not know whether her Left Ventricle would be big enough to pump blood effectively, which would mean future Open Heart surgeries (possibly 3 in total) - and quality of life would be restricted.

Handing Olivia over to the anaesthetist was the most terrifying thing myself and Paul have ever had to do. But we had a very supportive nurse from Ocean Ward by our side who explained everything to us and kept things very calm for Olivia - which overall is what we wanted. 

A nurse from Ocean Ward took care of us while Olivia was having Open Heart Surgery. She kept us up to date, picked us up in the most stressful times imaginable. Bought us food, reminded us to sleep. 

When we received the call Olivia's surgery was complete and she was doing well - we cried for the first time since she had been born. What a huge relief! She had done it.

Our incredible Heart surgeon Mr Kaarn had put a 9 day old baby on bypass completely reconstructed her aorta, repaired her valve and closed a hole in the heart.

Olivia stayed in Intensive Care for a couple of weeks until she was stable enough to return to Ocean Ward.

Olivia was home within 3 weeks. And since then we have returned for check-ups. Thankfully, since the surgery the blood is now pumping around all the Ventricles and the left side is now a good size and is doing a good job.The Aortic repair has healed well and looks very good on the scans. She is doing absolutely great.

Olivia will have congenital heart disease (CHD) for life and will need check-ups now and again. I can't help thinking how lucky we are to have access to such a fantastic Hospital and family friendly Ocean Ward. 

The environment the nurses and staff work in is very intense and carries a huge responsibility. They all work tirelessly for the children and parents. 

We are so thankful to them for everything they have done for us and continue to do for all of the children that come to Ocean Ward. 

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