A s tiny newborn Lockwood Gigi was wheeled in for openheart surgery at just seven days old, mum Charlotte remembers her overwhelming feeling was excitement.
It might seem like an unexpected emotion in the face of a seven-hour surgery, but for the Bay of Plenty mum it was a huge relief her baby girl was alive and well enough to undergo the operation after a potentially fatal heart defect was discovered during pregnancy.
"It was scary, but I was just so excited," recalls Charlotte, 39. "It was a time of celebration because I knew it was such a good opportunity to have this life-saving surgery, and that we were in such good hands with Starship Children’s Hospital and one of the top paediatric surgeons in the world.”
Born with pulmonary atresia, a right ventricle heart defect found during a routine 20-week ultrasound, Charlotte was repeatedly told Gigi only had a 50 percent chance of surviving the pregnancy and birth.
“That was the worst-case scenario, but I was always such a firm believer she was going to be okay,” shares home stylist Charlotte. “When I felt her kicking inside me, she felt so lively and active, and I had such a connection with her that I knew we were going to prove them all wrong.”
And Gigi has proved to be a little legend, defying the odds from the minute she was born on September 4, 2019, breathing independently.
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin May 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin May 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame