“I was praying for a miracle”: Heart surgery in Kingston saves pregnant mother and baby

Julia Morris shares her story of fear, recovery and gratitude after a life-threatening diagnosis

A mother is reflecting on a year that began with fear and ended with gratitude after undergoing emergency open-heart surgery in Kingston while pregnant.

Julia Morris was 23 weeks pregnant in January 2025 when doctors at Kingston Health Sciences Centre discovered a nine-centimetre tumour in her heart. Pieces had broken off, putting both her life and her unborn baby at risk.

Morris reflects on what kept her going during recovery.

Morris spent nearly a month in hospital following surgery as doctors closely monitored her heart, her pregnancy and her recovery. She later gave birth to a healthy baby, describing the moment she heard her child’s first cry as overwhelming after months of uncertainty.

Her recovery continued at Providence Care Hospital through the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, where she worked to rebuild her strength.

Morris speaks about finding hope through care close to home.

Now home with her family, Morris is sharing her story as part of University Hospitals Kingston Foundation’s holiday campaign, which is matching donations made before Dec. 31, up to $100,000.

Story by Alyssa Brush