Harriet Summerhill born with half a heart survives major cardiac surgery

Harriet Summerhill, now two, defied the odds to survive after being born with half her heart working Harriet Summerhill was so poorly in the womb that doctors had offered her devastated parents an abortion. The parents-to-be were given three heart-breaking options, to terminate the pregnancy, to allow their girl to die naturally after birth or to risk open heart surgery. Mrs Summerhill said: 'She will undergo her third open heart surgery when she is around five and in the meantime our main goal is to keep her as healthy as possible' Harriet's parents were told by doctors that her heart condition couldn't be fixed and that the life expectancy of children with pulmonary atresia is significantly reduced. The couple's last option was an initial three stage open heart surgery which would give Harriet the best chance of survival. The parents-to-be were given three heart-breaking options, to terminate the pregnancy, to allow their girl to die naturally after birth or to risk open heart surgery Mrs Summerhill is forever grateful she defied medical advice and pursued with the difficult pregnancy Having already undergone two invasive operations, Harriet must now face a third for maximum health 'On the January 13, Harriet had gained enough weight and was transferred from the University Hospital of Wales to Bristol Children's Hospital where she had her first operation.