A MUM living with a heart defect is fighting to see scans and checks carried out to help detect possible heart defects in babies as early as possible.

Amanda-Jane Freemantle, 40, of Leigh, was born with Congenital Heart Disease.

The condition meant she underwent open heart surgery at three months old.

She is now raising awareness and money for charity Tiny Tickers which supports children with heart conditions and their families.

The charity leads campaigns to help identify heart conditions in babies as early as possible.

Amanda is backing Tiny Tickers in their bid to help sonographers and doctors detect conditions at the 20 week scan. The 20 week scan – the fetal anomaly screening that all mums-to-be are offered by the NHS – is the best chance to detect heart defects before the baby is born.

But at the moment, only just over half of these life-threatening defects are spotted during pregnancy.

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Research shows spotting the condition earlier leads to better survival rates and quality of life.

Amanda, who also has a lung condition, said: “I was born with a heart defect called Congenital Heart Disease and had open heart surgery at three months old at the Royal Brompton Hospital which was terrifying for my mum.

“I also had meningitis and during checks they found the heart condition.

“There was no signs of it in the pregnancy at all and my mum had no reason so think there would be any heart problems.”

Amanda, who is now a mum herself, underwent a number of surgeries to help prolong her life.

She said: “I also had open heart operations at the ages of four and then 14 and had a pacemaker and a defibrillator fitted to my heart.

“I want people to be aware of the risks and how they need to check for any heart issues early too. “It’s also about making more people aware of the charity as well.”

She wants to help raise the profile of the organisation which helps expectant mums and those with children with heart conditions.

She’s hosting an event at Kids Kingdom in Southend on October 1 from 6.30pm.

For more and tickets email ajabbott27@hotmail.com