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Brave mum-to-be's heartbreaking choice

An expectant mother has been told that her daughter will not survive at birth but has decided to carry her unborn child full-term in order to donate her organs.

Hayley Martin and husband Scott were informed at the 20-week scan that their baby has bilateral renal agenesis meaning that their daughter doesn’t have any kidneys and is not surrounded by enough amniotic fluid, which causes malformed lungs.

The condition is fatal and their child, who they have named Ava Joy, may die during labour or shortly afterwards.

The couple, who share three children together, explained their decision to continue with the pregnancy on ITV’s This Morning.

Hayley Martin and her husband Scott have chosen to deliver their baby even though she isn't expected to live. Source: ITV
Hayley Martin and her husband Scott have chosen to deliver their baby even though she isn't expected to live. Source: ITV

“It was not an easy decision but it was the right decision and it has helped me cope with the heartbreak,” Mrs Martin said. “A part of her will live on, she won’t be completely gone. She will be alive in somebody else.”

Although they cannot donate their daughter’s full organs, her heart valves can be used to help other seriously ill children. And their decision will make a huge difference, as over 250 children died waiting for a transplant over the past decade according to the NHS.

The couple have also set up a charity in their daughter’s name to help parents going through a similar situation. The organisation, known as Ava’s Butterfly Baby Pathway, will offer support to families through special memory packs which aim to capture every moment of the pregnancy.

Doctors hope that Ava Joy will survive the birth so that her parents can spend a few moments together.

“Even if I get just one second of her opening her little eyes and looking at me – that would be a moment that no one can ever take away from me,” Hayley said.

You can donate to Ava’s Butterfly Baby Pathway via the crowdfunding page.

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