The Miracle Boy: Fighting for Life Before Birth

For five long years, Oleksandr and Diana dreamed of hearing a child’s laughter in their home.
Finally, their dream began to come true — they were expecting a baby. With great joy, the couple started preparing for the life-changing journey ahead. Everything seemed to be going well, until one of the routine screenings revealed a congenital heart defect in their unborn son — aortic valve stenosis.
This meant the opening of the valve was narrowed, restricting blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
The diagnosis left the couple in shock. Their world turned upside down, and the pain was overwhelming. Desperation only deepened as they searched from doctor to doctor for hope — and one even advised them to terminate the pregnancy.

Despite their despair, they decided not to give up. They traveled to Kyiv for further consultations at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, where doctors finally gave them hope — there was a real chance to save their baby.
More than that, he had a chance for a healthy life — but only if the birth went well.
From then on, Diana followed every medical recommendation at the Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, staying under constant supervision to ensure the safest possible pregnancy.

And on June 10, 2024, in the middle of summer, Danilo was born — a long-awaited miracle, weighing 3.26 kg and 52 cm long. The birth went smoothly.

Danilo and his mother spent their first week at the Institute of Pediatrics, then went to the Amosov Institute for a cardiac evaluation.
There, doctors said he urgently needed a balloon angioplasty, a non-invasive procedure to relieve the valve narrowing.
Thankfully, the procedure was a success — and mother and baby finally got to go home. They had three precious weeks together.
Diana couldn’t stop looking at her son, who seemed to her a true miracle.
“His eyes are incredibly deep and wise. When you look into Danilo’s eyes, it feels like he understands you — like he wants to help, wants to say what to do. But he’s just too little,” she says.

Time flew. Danilo gained weight, became more active, and surprised his parents every day.
“Even at just a month old, Danilo has such a strong personality,” Diana shares.
“I never imagined babies could express themselves so clearly at this age. He knows what he wants.”

But their journey wasn’t over yet. At just one month old, Danilo needed another operation — this time to correct aortic coarctation.

So, the family returned to the Amosov Institute.
This surgery took three hours, and the stakes were high.
The operation went well, and doctors explained that Danilo would need ongoing care, regular check-ups, and possibly another surgery in the future.
But he now had every chance for a full recovery.

Danilo’s parents dream and believe in a future filled with health, joy, and possibilities.
They are doing everything they can to ensure their son enjoys life and explores the world.
Danilo is a true miracle — a child who came into this world despite all odds. His life is just beginning.

The family is deeply grateful for the support of Lancôme through the “Big Little Heart” project on St. Nicholas Day 2023.