‘I remember being absolutely devastated’: Health shock at routine ultrasound

Katelyn Ellery was attending a regular 20 week ultrasound when doctors noticed something wasn’t quite right with her baby’s heart.

Arlo Van Ellery, who was born with a heart condition called transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with his family, siblings Hunter Jones and Winter Ellery and parents Todd and Katelyn Ellery. Picture: Supplied by family

Katelyn Ellery was 20 weeks pregnant when doctors discovered her baby had a heart condition during a routine scan.

“I couldn’t understand what it was that they were trying to explain,” the 32-year-old told The Advertiser.

“I suppose it felt really surreal.”

Arlo Van Ellery, her second child with husband Todd Ellery, is her third baby.

“It was really hard knowing that my first moments with Arlo weren’t going to be the same as it was with my other children,” Ms Ellery, who lives in Warradale, said.

“I wouldn’t get to breastfeed him immediately, I wouldn’t get to have him in my room with me, he had to have complete emergency care and be looked over, 24/7, every minute.

“It was a really touch and go situation after he was born … it was really scary.”

“It was a really touch and go situation after he was born … it was really scary.”. Picture: Supplied by family

Arlo was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) – a heart defect that occurs when two main heart arteries leaving the heart are in abnormal positions – a life-threatening condition.

“I remember being absolutely devastated,” Ms Ellery said.

Ms Ellery decided to commit to ensuring Arlo had the best outcome and decided to learn everything she could about TGA and be positive.

Months later, when Arlo was born on August 9, 2022 via planned C-section he was flown via Medstar to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital for a lifesaving atrial switch procedure.

Arlo was flown to Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied by family

Hero for HeartKids Day is on Friday June 14 which aims to raise awareness and funds for families and kids like Arlo through their heart journeys. Picture: Supplied by family

“There were obviously a lot of risks that could happen from the operation which was very daunting and very scary at the time,” Ms Ellery said.

“Flying over there was one thing and watching your little newborn go through such a huge procedure.

“But after the procedure it all went really fantastic. We were so lucky and so grateful.”

Friday, June 14 is Hero for HeartKids Day which aims to raise awareness and funds for families and kids like Arlo through their heart journeys.

“ (HeartKids) were really supportive with anything we needed, care packages, emotional support, they came and visited me during hospital and talked to me … it was really lovely,” Ms Ellery said.

Originally published as ‘I remember being absolutely devastated’: Health shock at routine ultrasound