Watton at Stone, Hertfordshire – A mother from Hertfordshire is advocating for a special heart defect trial that she believes gave her family more precious time with her baby before her passing at just 12 weeks old. Emma Hart shared her emotional journey with her daughter, Daisy, who had multiple heart abnormalities and would have otherwise not survived beyond 48 hours without the intervention of a pulse oximetry test at Lister Hospital in Stevenage last year.
This non-invasive pulse oximetry test measures a baby’s oxygen levels and played a crucial role in allowing Emma and her partner, Ronnie, to spend several weeks bonding with their baby. Emma expressed gratitude for the extra time the test provided, allowing them to truly get to know Daisy and cherish their time with her.
Despite the heartbreaking outcome, Emma views the three months she had with Daisy as a time of learning and love-building, making the experience a beautiful and meaningful one. Now, she is calling for the pulse oximetry test to become a standard procedure for all newborns in the UK, emphasizing its potential to save many babies’ lives without invasive measures.
Following Daisy’s birth, where there were no initial complications, the pulse oximetry test was conducted as part of a trial, leading to the discovery of several heart abnormalities and subsequent treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Despite efforts to address the issues, Daisy’s heart condition proved too severe, and she passed away in her mother’s arms at home.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the significance of pulse oximetry testing but cited inconclusive results from a consultation regarding screening all babies for low oxygen levels. Further research is being recommended before any potential changes are made in current screening protocols.
Emma’s advocacy for the pulse oximetry test stems from her personal experience with Daisy’s condition and the impact it had on her family. She hopes that by sharing her story, more attention will be brought to the importance of early detection and intervention in cases of congenital heart defects to improve outcomes for newborns in the future.