Medical teams at Texas Children’s Hospital accomplished something that sounds impossible – delivering a baby, performing surgery, then returning her to the womb to continue developing. Lynlee Boemer became known as the baby born twice after extraordinary fetal surgery saved her life when a massive tumor threatened to stop her tiny heart. 

Her story demonstrates how cutting-edge medical techniques can offer hope when traditional approaches fail. Behind this medical miracle lies months of careful planning, innovative surgical techniques, and a family’s determination to give their daughter every possible chance at life.

When Routine Ultrasound Reveals Crisis

Margaret Boemer sensed trouble during her 16-week ultrasound appointment when the technician grew unusually quiet. Medical imaging revealed daughter Lynlee had developed sacrococcygeal teratoma, a rare tumor attached to her tailbone that was nearly as large as the baby herself. Such tumors occur in only one out of 30,000 to 70,000 live births, affecting baby girls four times more often than boys.

A massive tumor was stealing Lynlee’s blood supply, forcing her tiny heart to work increasingly harder, pumping blood to the rest of her developing body. Each passing day brought greater cardiac stress as the growing mass diverted more circulation away from vital organs. Without intervention, doctors warned the baby would likely die from heart failure before reaching a viable gestational age.

Margaret had initially been expecting twins but lost one baby before the second trimester, adding emotional complexity to medical decisions about her remaining pregnancy. One physician recommended termination, arguing the tumor was too significant and the surgical risks too high. Desperate to save their daughter, Margaret and her husband Jeff researched medical centers specializing in fetal surgery.

Texas Children’s Fetal Center offered hope where others saw only insurmountable challenges. The medical team explained that open fetal surgery would involve removing Lynlee partially from the womb, performing tumor removal, then returning her to continue gestational development. The procedure carried significant risks with no guarantees, but represented their daughter’s only realistic chance for survival.

Revolutionary Fetal Surgery Technique

At 23 weeks’ gestation, Lynlee’s deteriorating heart condition could wait no longer. The surgical team was prepared for a complex five-hour operation that required unprecedented precision and coordination. Open fetal surgery presents unique challenges since both mother and baby face surgical risks while maintaining pregnancy viability for continued fetal development.

Surgeons made a meticulous incision in Margaret’s uterus, carefully fastening Lynlee’s amniotic sac to the uterine wall. Such attachment prevents contamination while allowing surgical access to the developing baby. Every detail required precise execution since the uterus would need resealing after surgery to support continued pregnancy.

The medical team pulled Lynlee halfway out of her mother’s womb, exposing the massive tumor for surgical removal. Baby weighed only 1 pound, 3 ounces, and required immediate blood transfusion due to circulation problems caused by the cancer. During surgery, Lynlee’s heart stopped completely, requiring cardiac specialist intervention to maintain vital functions while surgeons continued working.

The surgical team successfully removed 90 percent of the tumor before carefully returning Lynlee to the womb and resealing both the amniotic sac and uterine incision. The procedure’s success depended on preventing premature labor that would deliver a significantly underdeveloped baby with minimal survival chances. Margaret faced 12 weeks of strict bed rest to minimize labor risks.

Months of Uncertainty and Hope

The recovery period tested the family’s patience and faith as Margaret remained on complete bed rest, preventing premature delivery. Any sign of labor contractions could result in delivering a baby too underdeveloped to survive outside the womb. The medical team monitored both mother and baby continuously, watching for complications that might require emergency intervention.

Margaret later reflected on the miraculous nature of her experience, noting how surgeons successfully returned Lynlee to the womb without triggering immediate labor. The first few weeks proved particularly tense as any contractions could have ended the pregnancy prematurely. Family counted each passing day as precious time, allowing Lynlee’s heart and other organs to strengthen.

Weekly monitoring showed gradual improvement in Lynlee’s cardiac function, as the reduced tumor mass allowed better blood circulation throughout her developing body. Heart damage from months of overwork began healing as circulation normalized. The medical team remained cautiously optimistic while preparing for potential complications during the remaining weeks.

Medical staff, family, and community support sustained Margaret through challenging months of uncertainty. Texas Children’s Hospital provided comprehensive care addressing immediate surgical concerns and long-term developmental planning. Such coordinated medical support proved essential for successful outcomes in complex fetal surgery cases.

Second Birth and Long-Term Outlook

Margaret spent the remainder of her pregnancy on strict bed rest, as any premature contractions could have triggered early labor and endangered her baby’s survival. The medical team closely monitored her and the baby, alert to signs of complications that might require emergency intervention.

She later described the experience as nothing short of miraculous — surgeons had successfully returned her baby, Lynlee, to the womb without initiating labor. Each additional day in the womb became a victory, giving Lynlee’s heart and organs time to strengthen. Weekly scans showed steady improvement in her cardiac function as the pressure from the tumor eased.

At 36 weeks, Lynlee was born via C-section, weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces. Just eight days later, she underwent another surgery to remove the remaining tumor tissue and reconstruct the affected area around her tailbone. Surgeons worked carefully to restore normal anatomy and minimize any long-term effects.

The tumor had impacted some nerves and muscles, causing mild damage to Lynlee’s left leg and potentially her digestive system. Ongoing therapy and regular assessments became part of her care plan. Early intervention, her doctors explained, would give her the best chance at a full recovery.

Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, who led the fetal surgery, had performed a similar case with excellent long-term outcomes, offering hope that Lynlee, too, could thrive. With continued medical care and support, her family remains optimistic about her future.

Advancing Fetal Surgery Techniques

Lynlee’s case represents cutting-edge fetal surgery techniques that were science fiction decades ago. Such procedures require extraordinary coordination between maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pediatric surgeons, cardiac specialists, and anesthesiologists. Texas Children’s Fetal Center has become a leading institution in developing and refining these life-saving techniques.

Open fetal surgery carries significant risks for both mother and baby, including premature labor, infection, and surgical complications. Success requires careful patient selection, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive postoperative care. Not all fetal conditions warrant such aggressive intervention, so proper evaluation is essential.

Sacrococcygeal teratomas present unique challenges due to their size, location, and impact on fetal circulation. Early detection through routine ultrasound screening allows medical teams time for careful planning and family counseling. Some smaller tumors can be managed with close monitoring, while larger masses like Lynlee’s require immediate intervention.

Medical advances continue improving outcomes for fetal surgery patients through better imaging techniques, refined surgical procedures, and enhanced postoperative care. Such progress offers hope for families facing previously untreatable prenatal conditions while expanding treatment options for complex fetal abnormalities.

My Personal RX: Ways to Support Your Health for a Healthier Baby

When you’re growing a new life, your health is no longer just about you. Every bite, every breath, every emotion you experience influences your baby’s development—sometimes in ways we’re only beginning to understand. That’s why it’s so important for parents, especially mothers, to nurture their physical, emotional, and gut health during pregnancy. It’s not about perfection. It’s about small, intentional choices that build a strong foundation for both of you.

1. Strengthen your gut to support baby’s immune and brain development: A balanced microbiome plays a critical role in nutrient absorption and immune regulation, both essential for fetal health. MindBiotic helps support this gut balance naturally.
   
2. Cook more at home: Home-cooked meals reduce your exposure to processed foods and give you more control over ingredients, which is important during this sensitive time.
   
3. Choose nourishing meals over empty cravings: Mindful Meals provides easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich recipes that support your body during pregnancy and set up your baby for a lifetime of better health.
   
4. Prioritize rest and recovery: Growing a baby takes energy. Listen to your body and make sleep a non-negotiable part of your self-care routine—it’s essential for hormonal balance and fetal growth.
   
5. Manage stress with intention: Chronic stress affects digestion, mood, and even your baby’s nervous system. Practice calming rituals like gentle walks, meditation, or simply slowing down your breath.
   
6. Stay hydrated with intention: Hydration aids digestion, nutrient delivery, and amniotic fluid balance. Add slices of cucumber or berries for extra flavor and antioxidants.
   
7. Rethink your supplement routine: Not all prenatals are equal. Talk to your doctor about choosing high-quality, bioavailable options that support your needs throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
   
8. Move mindfully: Gentle, regular movement like prenatal yoga or walking helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, and prepare your body for labor, while boosting mood, too.
   
9. Surround yourself with support: Don’t hesitate to lean on your community, partner, or trusted professionals. Your well-being benefits from feeling safe, supported, and heard.
   
10. Embrace this chapter with grace: Pregnancy is a physical and emotional transformation. Be kind to yourself and celebrate the strength it takes to care for another life, starting with caring for your own.

Sources: 

1. Phi, J. H. (2021). Sacrococcygeal teratoma : a tumor at the center of embryogenesis. Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 64(3), 406–413. https://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2021.0015 
2. Rasuli, B., & Weerakkody, Y. (2010). Sacrococcygeal teratoma. Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rid-8307 
3. Behari, S., Srivastava, A., Jaiswal, A., & Jain, K. (2010). Sacrococcygeal teratoma. Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences, 5(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.4103/1817-1745.66682 

Featured image: Texas Children’s Hospital