Due to be born in Hull, Lacia-Blu would need open heart surgery at Leeds in her first few days of life in order to survive.
Heart mummy Jodie tells us all about her daughter’s amazing journey so far with congenital heart disease.
Mum Jodie writes…
I first found out I was pregnant with Lacia on 14th March 2020 at 17 after having a very straight forward first pregnancy. I was really laid back until I got to my 20 week routine scan at Hull Women’s & Children’s.
After being scanned for an hour, I was taken into a small room and told I need to return the following day with my partner as something wasn’t right with her heart.
As you can imagine I was confused, anxious and didn’t know what to think. I returned the next day and met Doctor Codie who explained my daughter had TGA (Transposition of the Great Arteries) and I would have to give birth in Leeds.
Lacia would need open heart surgery in her early days of life to survive. I had so much information to take in, I was so overwhelmed.
Lacia-Blu was born in October 2020
“I had all my trust in these amazing doctors.”
Mum Jodie with brand new daughter Lacia-Blu
Lacia had open heart surgery at nine days old
Many days passed. I had so many questions and just couldn’t understand why or how this happened. I was in complete shock.
I was transferred to Leeds who confirmed the finding. I then had monthly routine scans and met foetal medicine who planned my induction.
They made me feel at ease and provided me with lots of information, leaflets, and websites to look at. We were given plenty of emotional support. I was always able to pick up the phone and there would always be someone on the other end to support and listen to my worries or questions.
At 38 weeks on October 19th at 3:25pm Lacia-Blu Rispin was born. It all happened within a blink of an eye. Everything was so relaxed I didn’t even realise how many baby doctors were in the room.
They kept me reassured and positive. We were able to have skin to skin and dad was able to hold Lacia before she was wheeled away. I had all my trust in these amazing doctors.
Lacia started in NICU for three days then was transferred to Ward L51 (the children’s heart ward). And at just nine days old, Lacia had been taken down ready for her open heart surgery.
Six hours later…we got the call from Carin Van Doorn to say everything had gone well. Miss Van Doorn was really happy with the outcome and Lacia was in intensive care waiting for us.
I was so nervous seeing her for the first time as I didn’t know what to expect but the nurses explained everything they were doing and kept us reassured. They got us involved with her daily tasks like baths and feeds to help us bond with her.
Each day she was improving and getting stronger and stronger. On 1st November 2020 at 12:48 I walked Lacia out of Intensive Care, back down too ward L51. She was just four days post op and it was one of my proudest mum moments.
On the 5th November Lacia was discharged and ready to meet her big brother for the first time.
Lacia-Blu and her big brother Layton
Lacia and Katie Bear
Lacia-Blu is now 6 months
Everyone we met was amazing. The midwives, nurses, doctors. And Children’s Heart Surgery Fund – they have been a massive support in our heart journey and have carried on supporting us since leaving the hospital. Not just for Lacia, but for me and my partner as well.
She wears her CHSF medal with pride and loves her Katie Bear.
On #WarriorWednesday, we celebrate the amazing heart heroes we support in our region.
We tell their stories to raise vital awareness of congenital heart disease and recognise the care of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.
If you would like to make a regular or one-off donation to help fund CHSF’s life-saving work, you can do so here. Thank you.
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