Jennifer Cockerill faced an agonising dilemma – to start a family knowing pregnancy could kill her or face a lifetime of anguish, longing for a baby.

She and husband David were devastated when doctors warned there was a real danger even if she survived the nine months, she might not make it through labour.

Jennifer, 30, suffers from a rare and potentially-deadly heart condition and experts feared her organs could buckle under the extra strain of carrying a child.

But the couple, from Haslingden, Rossendale, decided to take the risk and try for a baby after months of deliberating with friends and family.

They didn’t know at the time but their heartache was only just beginning. They endured five miscarriages over a traumatic three-year period, starting in 2005.

But despite their tragedy, they refused to give up the dream of becoming parents and eventually conceived for a sixth time.

They were placed under the care of specialists at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester and were among the couples to benefit from a pioneering care programme – the only one of its kind in the country.

Jennifer was scanned every fortnight and had regular check-ups at the hospital to monitor her heart and her unborn child’s development.

She was looked after by FIFTY experts from the cardiac and maternity units who worked together to spot any signs of complications.

And their unique approach paid off, with Jennifer giving birth to son Alfie in July 2009.

Now, two years on, he is a happy and healthy toddler and has not inherited his mum’s heart problem.

Jennifer said: “There was a massive risk that my heart could fail under the strain of pregnancy but we really wanted a family together.

“It was a risk and we had to think very carefully about it. I’d always known about my condition but it wasn’t until I got older and met David that I started to think about the possible consequences of becoming pregnant.

“It wasn’t an easy decision and we were really upset when we had the miscarriages – it was just one setback after another, but we wanted it so badly.”

When they discovered they were expecting Alfie, the couple were apprehensive because of their history.

Swimming teacher David, 29, explains: “It was a happy time but we were nervous given what had happened before. We were worried but we knew it was something we had to get through if we wanted a child.”

Jennifer, now a full-time mum, was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries at birth. It is a congenital heart defect, in which the two major blood vessels, the aorta and the pulmonary artery that carry blood away from the heart, are switched.

At 12 months she had open heart surgery and was in and out of hospital throughout childhood.

Last week the couple returned to Saint Mary’s to introduce Alfie to the medics who ensured his safe arrival.

As part of the special care programme, she was admitted to hospital at 30 weeks for close monitoring. A month later she gave birth by planned caesarean at the Manchester Royal Infirmary – so she would be near cardiac surgeons if something went wrong.

Amazingly, Alfie was born entirely healthy at 34 weeks, weighing 4lb 5oz, and was allowed home just a fortnight later.

“The doctors at Saint Mary’s put our minds at rest,” added Jennifer.

“Without them, I may not have survived and Alfie wouldn’t be here. We are so grateful – everyone says their children are special but Alfie really is exceptional. We feel so lucky to have him.”

And it’s not only Jennifer and David praising the doctors and nurses. The hospital’s joint cardiac and maternity team scooped a top award at the All-Party Parliamentary Group Maternity Services Awards, for their work caring for women with complex heart disease throughout pregnancy, the leading cause of maternal mortality.

The service was set up in 2004 by Dr Sarah Vause, consultant obstetrician and Dr Bernard Clarke, consultant cardiologist, with the support of a specialist midwife.

Since 2004, the amount of new referrals has doubled, increasing from 43 in 2004 to 86 in 2010 and there have been no unexpected admissions of patients to intensive care or maternal deaths.

Dr Vause said: “The thing that we are most proud of is knowing that there are several women, like Jennifer, who now have children, who would not have embarked on, or survived the pregnancy had it not been for the service we provide.

“We were absolutely thrilled when our team won this award. In Manchester we are fortunate enough to have the people and the facilities to provide care for this high risk group of women and their babies. The award
recognises the work of all the members of the team.”

As for the Cockerills, Jennifer jokes that they currently have their hands full looking after Alfie – but admits they would one day like to have a second child.

She added: “Hopefully our story will offer hope to other couples who may have suffered miscarriages or have obstacles in their way. We didn’t give up hope and they shouldn’t either.”

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