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Three Norfolk-based mothers, whose children were diagnosed with rare heart conditions while they were still pregnant, have formed a support group that has become a “lifeline friendship” for them. Louise Hubbard, Justine Ducker, and Danielle Mann initially connected after Louise shared the story of her two daughters being diagnosed with congenital heart disease. The three expectant mothers came together to form a support chat, which became important when their babies were due just weeks apart in 2019. Today, the three are like a family and call themselves the “heart mummies,” with their children referred to as the “heart babies.”
At about 20 weeks into their pregnancies, each of the women was excited to see their baby via a scan, but their excitement turned into despair when an anomaly was discovered. All three were informed that there was a problem with their baby’s heart, and they were advised to go to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) as a matter of urgency. Five years later, all three women have developed a deep and lasting bond. They have invariably formed a great support group for one another, with the friendship becoming invaluable. They speak to each other every day and have even referred to each other as family.
Louise, 33, who had been given the news that both her daughters had congenital heart disease, said, “With Felicity, social media wasn’t around, and I felt very alone, like I was the only person going through it. Congenital heart disease wasn’t spoken about as much. After speaking to the local paper, Justine, and Danielle saw the article and reached out separately, and we started messaging and got together as a group. We formed such a great friendship and support group, I classify the girls as family, we speak every day.”
All three women felt that the diagnoses had an impact on their pregnancy. Anxiety and stress were constant worries, which made it difficult to stay calm and supportive of their unborn babies. The three women have learned to provide support not just to each other, but also to their children, in helping them understand their conditions. All the children need to undergo further surgery and are regularly checked by doctors at GOSH, as well as a pediatric cardiologist who has treated all three.
The women and their children will participate in the RBC Race for the Kids to raise funds for GOSH on October 12th, making it more special this year. The mothers hope that their story will inspire other such mothers not to feel lonely or helpless in similar situations
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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