Thread by Coleus.
Mother has healthy baby boy despite abortion warning by doctor
Gaynor Purdy was warned her first child could have a fatal chromosome defect and a life threatening heart condition. But she rejected two suggestions to terminate the pregnancy and she and her husband Lee are celebrating life with their "perfect" ten-month-old son. Mrs Purdy, 28, a quality control inspector, said: "We refused to give up on him, and decided throughout the pregnancy that as long as he was fighting, we would continue fighting with him."
The couple from Scunthorpe, Lincs, were delighted when they discovered they had conceived shortly before their first wedding anniversary. Four months into the pregnancy doctors told them that part of their unborn child's heart was narrow and underdeveloped and would mean open heart surgery if the baby was born.
They were warned the condition could worsen and around Christmas last year, an immediate termination should be considered. Further tests conducted a few days later on New Year's Eve suggested the baby could also have Edwards Syndrome - the presence of an 18th chromosome - with a life expectancy of only up to four months if birth is survived.
Consultants again recommended the couple consider aborting the baby, fearing he would little to no quality of life once he was born. For the second time, Mrs Purdy and her husband, a 29 year old forklift driver, declined the suggestion. Kai was born six weeks premature on March 5 at Scunthorpe General Hospital weighing just 2lb 6oz and immediately admitted to intensive care, but was discharged within six weeks.
One side of his heart was slightly bigger than the other which may need an operation to correct in the future, but regular tests have been showing the condition is constantly improving...
