At her 20-week scan, Jo’s world was filled with joy. The first words she heard were that they were having a little girl. Silent tears of happiness streamed down her face as she imagined their life as a family, preparing to welcome their daughter. But amidst the excitement, the sonographer paused, and everything changed.

“I’m looking at the heart,” the sonographer said, “But I can’t see a shape I’m looking for.”

Jo’s breath caught in her throat. She listened as the sonographer explained that they might need to go to Bristol for another scan. Suddenly, the bliss of expecting a baby was interrupted by fear. A nurse ushered them into a side room, tissues and leaflets in hand. Jo called her partner. Within the hour, a cardiologist from Bristol had phoned, and they drove through the night to arrive in time for an early appointment.

At the hospital, Jo lay on the examination table again, watching the tiny heart of her unborn daughter on the screen. Blue and red flashing lights marked the rhythm of life inside her. Muted conversations between the consultant and sonographer added to the tension. Models and medical books sat on the table—reminders of the procedures that might lie ahead. The images of babies with tubes and surgical scars made Jo look away, her heart heavy with worry.

Then the words came.

“There is a heart problem,” the consultant said, “But we can fix it. The outcome should be good.”

Jo’s mind struggled to process the information. The consultant drew diagrams, explaining that their daughter, Malia Autumn Rose, hadtransposition of the great arteries (TGA). If they chose to continue the pregnancy, she would need to be induced at Bristol and likely require keyhole surgery immediately after birth, followed by open-heart surgery within her first two weeks of life.

They were given information about the hospital, the condition, and a booklet from Tiny Tickers, a charity supporting families affected by congenital heart disease. The journey back home was silent, filled with tears and unspoken worries. Jo thought about what Malia’s life would be like, the challenges of living in Bristol during her recovery, and whether she would survive the operations. Yet the consultant’s words stayed with her: “There is nothing you have done to cause this and nothing you could have done to prevent it.”

The revelation was devastating, but Jo knew how fortunate they were. Finding out before birth had given them time to prepare, to plan, and to brace themselves for the road ahead—a gift that not every family receives.

On 9th September 2022, Malia Autumn Rose was born. Just ten days later, she underwent her first surgery, the arterial switch operation, which was completed successfully. By 30th September, she was discharged, and her follow-ups have been excellent. Already, she has come off some of her medication, showing remarkable resilience for a baby who faced such a serious challenge.

Throughout this journey, Tiny Tickers provided invaluable support. The resources and information helped Jo and her family navigate a painful and challenging time. Reading other families’ stories brought comfort, reassurance, and hope. Seeing children with similar conditions thrive after surgery gave them confidence that Malia could have a bright future.

Jo hopes that sharing Malia’s story will offer support to other families going through similar experiences and raise awareness of congenital heart defects. Her gratitude for the sonographer who detected Malia’s TGA is immense—the early diagnosis saved her daughter’s life and allowed her family to plan, prepare, and face the journey together.

Malia’s story is a testament to the importance of attentive prenatal care, the life-saving skill of a dedicated sonographer, and the courage of families navigating congenital heart disease. It is a story of fear, hope, and ultimately, the triumph of a little heart beating strong against the odds.

Today, Malia is growing and thriving. Her parents celebrate every smile, every milestone, and every day they have with her, grateful for the early detection, the expert care, and the love that has carried them through the most challenging moments of their lives.