New baby has put smile back on our faces
Charlie Gard’s parents tell of their joy as they release 20-week scan of healthy unborn son
IT is nearly three years since they lost their beloved son in a tragic case which gripped the world.
Now Charlie Gard’s parents are celebrating after a 20-week scan showed they are expecting a healthy baby boy.
Six months pregnant Connie Yates yesterday told of her delight – and showed the Mail the uncanny likeness of the unborn child to Charlie. Miss Yates, 34, who is engaged to postman Chris Gard, 35, said: ‘We are so happy to be expecting another baby – it has put a smile back on our faces. We feel so incredibly lucky that we get the opportunity to welcome another baby boy into our family.’
She added of the scan: ‘I was completely overwhelmed to find that everything showed our little boy was doing well and was completely healthy.
‘The 3D scan shows all the features of his little face and it’s so gorgeous to see. I fell in love with him even more.’
Mr Gard said: ‘Looking back at a scan of Charlie, the new baby is uncannily similar. It’s amazing how alike they look. Obviously as Charlie’s dad, I thought Charlie was the most beautiful baby in the world, so I am delighted if his little brother has a likeness to some of Charlie’s features, but ultimately the priority is simply that he’s healthy.’
Charlie died in July 2017 aged 11 months after his parents lost an extraordinary court battle against the medical system to keep him alive.
There were interventions by the Pope and US President Donald Trump, but eventually Charlie’s life support was switched off and he succumbed to mitochondrial depletion syndrome – a rare genetic condition which saps energy from the organs.
Agonisingly, Baby Gard No2 – so far unnamed – stood a one in four chance of being born with the same devastating illness. But he was tested inside the womb and, to the enormous relief of his parents, has been declared free of the syndrome. The baby is due in August – the same month Charlie was born in 2016. Care worker Miss Yates, of Bedfont, south-west London, said Mr Gard was not allowed to attend the 20-week scan process in hospital because of the coronavirus.
She added: ‘When you have lost a child, it’s hard not to let fear take over – you know the harsh reality of having a child is a hope, not a promise.
‘I wasn’t sure I could cope with finding out about any problems or complications without Chris by my side – holding my hand like he always has. But like most expectant mums during this lockdown, I had to go on my own, which was very unnerving.’
She spoke of her hopes for the future, saying: ‘We long to do all the ordinary little things most people take for granted, We never had a chance with Charlie to do simple things like go to the park or take him on holiday. We want to have what all parents want – to be a healthy, happy family.’
‘Delighted to see a likeness to Charlie’