From a scary prenatal diagnosis to open heart surgery as an infant to starting school this year, one girl’s journey shows the impact of specialized care from Norton Children’s Heart Institute.
Published: October 21, 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
When the Hemming family found out they were expecting their second child, they were elated. After welcoming one healthy baby girl, Amy and Nick were excited to grow their family. However, what started as a joyful new chapter soon became a journey marked by challenges, resilience and the unwavering support of Norton Children Heart Institute.
At 18 weeks pregnant, Amy and Nick visited their provider for an early anatomy scan, hoping to learn the gender of their baby. Upon receiving the results of the ultrasound, doctors had concerns about how baby Charleigh’s heart was growing and referred the family to Norton Children’s Heart Institute’s fetal cardiology program to get a fetal echocardiogram.
After meeting with Lucinda T. Wright, M.D., pediatric cardiologist with Norton Children’s Heart Institute, Amy and Nick learned that Charleigh had several heart issues, including holes between the chambers of her heart, an abnormal aortic valve, and issue with her aortic arch. Based on the prenatal diagnosis, doctors anticipated she would need lifesaving surgery shortly after birth. The news devastated Amy and Nick. While they remained hopeful throughout the pregnancy, concerns about Charleigh’s future were never far from their minds.
“I remember saying, ‘I can’t wait until I wake up one morning and the fear isn’t the first thing on my mind,’” Amy said.
On the day Amy was scheduled to deliver Charleigh by cesarean section at Norton Hospital, the parents prepared themselves for the unknown. Throughout the pregnancy, Dr. Wright and the Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine team helped the family understand Charleigh’s diagnosis, prepare for delivery, and feel confident in the care plan. After Charleigh was born, she was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Norton Children’s Hospital for evaluation and monitoring. There, a CT scan revealed that her condition was less severe than originally anticipated, and that surgery could be postponed until she was between 4 and 6 months old. After about a week in the NICU, Charleigh was able to go home with her family.
At just a few weeks old, Charleigh began struggling to gain weight and experiencing frequent vomiting, signs that her heart was working harder than it should. She spent three weeks in the hospital receiving nutrition through a feeding tube and sleeping up to 23 hours a day before undergoing successful open heart surgery. Throughout Charleigh’s hospital stay, Amy andNick had access to a private waiting room and received updates regularly about their baby girl. Within three days after surgery, Charleigh was discharged home and has not been hospitalized since.
Today, Charleigh is a vibrant 5-year-old who loves to draw, play volleyball, and spend time with her family. She started kindergarten this year and continues to make strides, overcoming the odds she faced even before she was born. With the support of their Norton Children’s care team, the Hemming family has found peace of mind knowing both of their daughters can grow up happy and healthy.
“Through the medical complications Charleigh has faced, she and her family have shown such strength and resiliency,” Dr. Wright said. “From a fetal diagnosis to a CT scan at birth followed by openheart surgery within her first few months of life, it is a joy to see Charleigh grow and flourish.”
For Amy and Nick, what once felt like an overwhelming diagnosis is now a reminder of how expertise, compassionate care, early intervention and unwavering support helped their daughter thrive.
Amy told her daughters, “Superheroes are real. They just don’t wear capes. They wear scrubs.”
Every day, children like Charleigh receive high-quality care at Norton Children’s, thanks in part to the generosity of our community. By participating in the Norton Children’s Hospital Home & BMW Raffle, you support the programs, technology and patient care services that help children overcome incredible challenges and thrive.
Purchase your Home & BMW Raffle ticket today and make a difference in the lives of children and families across our region.