Emma Churchill with her daughter Skye Picture Ref: 76555-27A COUPLE faces a nightmare wait to see if their unborn baby will develop a potentially deadly heart condition.

Emma Churchill, 34, and partner Gary Franklin, 44, from Toothill, will not know if their baby has a healthy heart until after the birth.

As we reported in February, daughter Skye Churchill-Franklin now 16 months old suffers from congenital heart disease.

Doctors have told the family that there is a significant chance Skye's sibling will be born with the condition too.

Emma, who is expecting the baby in May, said: "We were shocked when we found out that I was pregnant again but we're both happy.

"We know that there are people out there who would give anything to have a baby so we feel lucky in that respect."

Skye's condition means that her immune system is weak.

A minor scratch or graze could prove deadly if bacteria enters her blood.

As a result, Emma who admits to being an overprotective mum by necessity keeps a stockpile of antibiotics.

Babies have a one in 100 chance of developing congenital heart disease or CHD.

But that risk increases for siblings.

"Apparently there is a three to five per cent chance that the baby will have CHD," said Emma. "That's a big leap from one per cent but we're being positive.

"There is a strong chance he or she will be fine."

Emma is scheduled to take tests at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital in the spring to detect heart problems.

"I am due them between 18 and 20 weeks," she said. "The paediatric cardiologists will be looking for signs of CHD.

"But we won't be given the all-clear until a couple of weeks after the birth.

"There are some heart complaints that can't be picked up early.

"We are both pretty anxious. It's just a case of waiting and hoping for the best."

In March we told how Skye was given a clean bill of health by doctors.

At first it was thought the tot would need major surgery.

Emma said: "She's fine now. She has piled on the weight, which she needed to do because she was so thin.On advice from the doctor we put double cream into her food."

Several forms of the disease

CONGENITAL heart disease can take several forms.

The causes are sometimes difficult to determine but may be due to infections in the mother during early stages of pregnancy.

There is also a suggested link between rubella and heart abnormalities in sufferers' children.

Doctors say siblings of those with congenital heart disease have a greater risk of having heart problems.

Down's Syndrome has also been linked to the disease.

Kevin Shoesmith