Amber Casey, a mother of two, refused to abort her child because of a heart defect identified by doctors. Now her son is healthy and happy after the defect disappeared.

Amber has no regrets about her decision to let her baby live.

In 2019, Amber had a prenatal scan 20 weeks into her pregnancy, revealing that her son, Orton, had congenital heart disease (CHD), which affects one in 100 babies.

Amber was told that the left side of Orton’s heart was smaller than the right side, meaning that he might not live past the age of five. Multiple surgeries would almost certainly be required.

She was offered an abortion by doctors.

I cried the entire weekend

“I cried the entire weekend, asking myself why me, why our baby and questioning what I’d done wrong to deserve it”, said Amber. “I wanted the pain to end.”

Fortunately, a nurse recommended that the couple seek out the online CHD community, as well as other related charities, to contact parents with similar experiences.

Amber recalls: “A fetal medicine nurse called and she was really supportive. She understood that as a mother, I didn’t know how to feel and I didn’t know whether to terminate...

“I was amazed to get support from couples all over the world.”

Pushing back against the advice of doctors, Amber refused to abort

Calmed and reassured by the online encouragement of other CHD parents, Amber and her partner refused to abort Orton.

“They told us their stories and about life with a child with congenital heart disease after birth.

"I’d walked into the CHD world scared and frightened. I’d lost hope but these people gave me hope that I could fight this for my son.” 

On 10 January 2020, Amber was induced at 37 weeks. She gave birth to a healthy 6lb 8oz boy.

Amber said: “I couldn’t believe it when doctors said the left side of his heart had randomly expanded.”

Amber now uses her own online presence to share her story and help other parents in similar circumstances.

Parents should be supported, not backed into a corner

SPUC’s Michael Robinson, Director of Communications and Campaigns, said: “We can see that the preservation of life is being made redundant by some healthcare workers.

“Thankfully, Amber received support and encouragement from other parents during her pregnancy. Amber is now beaming with her beautiful healthy son.

“We should also be thankful that the nurse, like a guardian angel, intervened to provide Amber and her partner with information that encouraged them not to abort Orton.

“The miracle of life is worth fighting for. Parents should feel supported and not backed into a corner with a diagnosis that doctors ‘treat’ with an abortion.

“It is a sorry state of affairs when parents can only gain balanced medical advice and support online from other parents.”