Hi my name is Caitlin and I am a mum to a little girl Everleigh who is 22 months old and I am currently 37 weeks pregnant with another little girl. 

Unfortunately our baby girl has been diagnosed as having severe congenital heart disease, We found out at around 22 weeks when we had our scan, our baby girl is really sick and with each appointment more information has come to light. With something that is supposed to be a magical time has gave me anxiety and worry with everyday thats passed as we are getting closer to her arrival. 

Our baby girl has 3 forms of congential heart disease that unfortunately can not be treated in our local hospital in Belfast. 

We have been advised we need to travel to 

Dublin (around a 4 hour drive across a border) as they are the only hospital capable of treating our little girls conditions.

 

She will require extensive open heart surgery soon after birth and will be extremely ill. 

The nhs have not been able to support us or provide much information due to her complicated needs. 

Ive been told I will need to be in dublin for at least 3 weeks following giving birth to our little girl all being well and there is no complications in her birth. 

This is such a worrying time as I have to think of Everleigh also with her being under 2 (she can't wait to meet her little sister and has been practising with her dolly, she is going to make the best big sister). 

The NHS have not been able to provide myself, Everleigh and my partner accommodation or any help towards the fees of being away from home for 3+ weeks.

We have been advised it will be between £3200 - £7000, we unfortunately don't have this amount of money and unable to work towards it with such a small space of time, my normal wages need to pay for our home in Belfast and bills and the costs of a new baby. 

We are so thankful for any shares, donations or any support anyone can provide us at this extremely difficult time. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart 

Caitlin.