A mother who was advised by doctors to have an abortion has spoken of how glad she is that she did not go through with it.
When Demi Goodman found out she was expecting a baby in late 2016, she was thrilled, but at a 20-week scan she was told that the baby had a serious condition in which only half of her heart was developing.
The young mother was devastated by the news, and was told that if she gave birth, the baby’s brain could be damaged, she might never learn to walk, and that she would need a series of heart operations to even survive.
‘Heartbroken’
Demi said: “I couldn’t believe what I was being told. I was heartbroken. The doctor said it would probably be best to terminate the pregnancy”.
She decided to keep the baby, and gave birth to Beau in August 2017, who weighed 6lb 12oz.
“When I looked at her little face I fell in love”, Demi said.
Maternal instinct
Beau survived open heart surgery after she was born and further emergency surgery at four months old.
I’m glad I listened to my instincts and kept her safe
Another operation at the beginning of 2018 went smoothly and she has since gone from strength to strength. Now 14 months old, Beau is walking and playing like any other girl her age.
Demi said: “She’s a very happy baby and she’s always laughing.”
She added that she can’t believe doctors advised her to abort: “I’m glad I listened to my instincts and kept her safe. I’m so proud of her because she’s doing everything the doctors said she wouldn’t.”