Hello, I’m Laura Bennett, and I played a role in enacting a law. This is the story of my son, Oliver, and my own journey.
Yes, me—a stay-at-home mom to a two-year-old—helped bring about change in my home state of West Virginia. The reasons behind this are deeply emotional but entirely true.
On February 20, 2011, I gave birth to a delicate baby boy named Oliver Bennett via C-section. My pregnancy had been uneventful, so it was a shock when our pediatrician informed us, “he has a heart murmur.” We tried to remain calm, reassured by friends that murmurs are common and often resolve on their own. Unfortunately, our hospital lacked the necessary technology to assess his heart, so we were scheduled for an echocardiogram in another town two days later.
The day of the appointment was cold and overcast as we drove an hour to the ultrasound facility. Our little newborn slept peacefully in the back seat, unaware of the looming concerns. Once we arrived and settled in, the technician’s silence became unnerving. My husband asked, “Is everything okay?” After a pause, she responded, “I see holes.” My heart sank, and tears streamed down my face. She could offer no further details since the cardiologist was out of town, so we left, anxiously awaiting our next appointment.
When we finally saw the cardiologist, he examined the echocardiogram and gravely told us, “You need to take him to the ER immediately or he will die.” The following days blurred into chaos as Oliver was rushed to the ER, placed on medication to keep his aorta from closing, and then transported to WVU Children’s Hospital for urgent surgery. We learned that he had multiple life-threatening heart defects.
Over the next three months, Oliver underwent three heart surgeries, countless procedures, and endured the pain that left him with visible scars. Tragically, on May 17, 2011, just two days after his final surgery and two days before his three-month birthday, Oliver passed away.
During my time in the hospital, I stumbled upon a blog called “Mia’s Story.” The author recounted how her baby died in her arms from an undetected heart defect. Inspired by her strength, I decided I could follow in her footsteps. After Oliver’s passing, I dedicated myself to raising awareness about congenital heart defects, which affect 1 in 100 infants, and how a simple, affordable pulse oximetry test can help detect them. Most heart defects are caused by unknown factors and are not preventable. In Oliver’s case, his condition was due to a rare disorder called Williams Syndrome, affecting 1 in 30,000 babies. Regardless, his heart defects could have been identified earlier through a pulse ox test; he was only screened after the pediatrician noticed the murmur.
A pulse oximetry test is a non-invasive procedure where a small band is placed around an infant’s hand and foot to measure blood oxygen levels. If the oxygen saturation is below 95% or if there’s a significant difference between readings, it could indicate a potential heart issue. This test should ideally be conducted within 24 hours of birth or before the baby leaves the hospital.
Once I educated myself on heart defects and pulse oximetry, I began reaching out online to find groups and other parents discussing these topics. Finding no existing pulse ox law in West Virginia, I created a Facebook page, Pulse Ox WV, to spread the word. Shortly after, I connected with another mother of a child with heart issues, and together with another heart mom, we became the driving force behind our movement.
These women had personal experience with serious heart conditions, and they had strong connections with the local American Heart Association (AHA). We met with the AHA to present our proposal: a law in West Virginia mandating pulse ox testing for newborns. They were on board, and within months, in January 2012, we introduced a bill named after my son, Oliver’s Law, to the House of Delegates.
We were overjoyed when we learned that Oliver’s Law had passed the House! However, our journey was far from over; we still had two committees and the Senate to navigate.
The AHA has a fantastic program called “You’re the Cure,” which provides updates on events and bills. We encouraged our friends and family to sign up for updates, send emails, and reach out to legislators. We rallied support through blogs, our Twitter account @PulseOxWV, and various social media platforms, garnering tremendous backing from heart families across the state.
On March 10th, around 8 AM, we received the long-awaited news: “Oliver’s Law has passed!” I can’t express the joy we felt—celebrations of tears, laughter, and dance filled our day.
We were fortunate to secure a signing ceremony with the Governor, where all three of us heart moms witnessed the moment Oliver’s Law became official. That day is etched in my memory forever.
With the passage of this law, every birthing facility is now required to conduct pulse oximetry tests on newborns before they leave the hospital. Although there’s a year left to finalize the specifics, hospitals can begin implementing it sooner if they are able. By Spring 2013, it will be mandatory.
To me, this bill signifies that my son’s legacy will live on, saving lives through early detection. Though Oliver’s life was tragically brief, he made a significant impact on the world. It warms my heart to know that, because of him, countless newborns will receive the care they need.
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