Pioneering surgery in the womb saved unborn baby’s life

A baby in Nottingham is healthy and thriving after undergoing pioneering surgery in the womb.

At 27 weeks, Baby Éabha was diagnosed with a build-up of fluid around her lungs and body, which could have led to heart failure. Following specialist surgery, she continued to grow for a few more weeks before being delivered by caesarean section at 31 weeks.

In Great Britain, abortion is currently permitted for most reasons up to 24 weeks, and up to birth if the unborn child is deemed to have a disability or severe health condition.

Eternally grateful

Éabha’s mum, Eleanor, said: “We will be eternally grateful for all the help and support of Dr Fiolna and the teams that helped to save and look after Éabha. Had we not met Dr Fiolna that day when we came in to get checked out, then the outcome may have been so very different.

“It is amazing what can be done in the womb before babies are even born.”

She added: “Éabha will always be our special miracle baby, she is a little fighter and we are just so grateful that she is here with us.”

Decriminalisation

In June, MPs approved Antonia Antoniazzi’s amendment to the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will allow a woman to kill her unborn baby at any stage of pregnancy without sanction, by 379 votes to 137.

A number of MPs spoke against decriminalisation, including TUV’s Jim Allister, who asked “whether there is any other area of law governing the taking of life in which the guardrails of the criminal law have been removed? That is what New Clause 1 proposes when it comes to the voiceless child. Is there no thought of protection for them?”

Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon, placed on record her “grave concerns about this hurried attempt to significantly alter our nation’s abortion laws”. She also highlighted ComRes polling which “reveals that only 1% of the public support the introduction of abortion up to birth”.

The Bill will now progress to the House of Lords. As it stands, this amendment will come into effect as soon as the legislation is enacted.