Helping the Maginn family

On 20 July 2023 at a routine anatomy scan for their 3rd child, Jamie and Chels found out that there was a potential problem with the way their baby’s heart has formed.

13 days passed between “maybe & definitely” as they made their way to Maternal Fetal Medicine in Christchurch - a diagnosis was made, which happened on 2 August.

Their baby was diagnosed with 'transposition of the great arteries' or TPA for short. This condition is fatal if not surgically repaired so baby will likely need a procedure called balloon atrial septostomy shortly after birth. Their baby will then require open heart surgery (arterial switch) within the first week or so of life.

TGA is a congenital heart defect meaning present at birth & is monitored by specialists for life. Whilst the condition itself is rare (less than 20 NZ babies a year out of 58,000), the outlook post surgery is generally positive.

Jamie & Chels and family will need to relocate to Auckland a few weeks prior to birth so baby can access the only possible care available in NZ at Starship Childrens Hospital.

They have been told to prepare for 6-8 weeks away from home, with the potential to be longer depending on many different factors.