A mother from Kent has shared her extraordinary birth story, describing how her son, Luca, was "born twice." At just 27 weeks pregnant, Lisa Coffee, 23, was informed that her baby had spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the spine and spinal cord. Specialists decided to temporarily remove Luca from the womb for surgery to repair some of the damage. After the operation, he was placed back into the uterus, and the pregnancy continued until Luca was born again at 38 weeks, just shy of full term.
Following his birth, Luca spent eight days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before being discharged home. Despite the successful operation, doctors have advised the family that it is unlikely Luca can walk. The baby has since undergone multiple surgeries to address further complications related to his spine and brain, leaving him with a scar and a condition known as Chiari malformation, where part of the brain extends into the spinal canal.
'My baby was born TWICE at 27 and 38 weeks – doctors removed him from my womb for surgery then placed him back inside'https://t.co/sSm5FeiUkx
— The US Sun (@TheSunUS) September 13, 2024
Despite these challenges, Luca is making promising progress through physiotherapy, bringing hope to his mother. "He has some fluid on his brain, but it has remained stable, so he hasn't needed a shunt. His next MRI won't be until he's two years old." Ms. Coffee shared in a report from The Sun. "He just the most amazing little boy and we couldn't be more grateful for how far he has come."
What is Spina Bifida
Spina bifida affects approximately 600 babies in the UK each year. The condition occurs when the spine and spinal cord fail to develop properly, leaving gaps in the vertebrae. These defects can range from mild, where some individuals may not even know they have the condition, to severe forms that can lead to significant mobility issues or infections like meningitis.
Dr. Hana Patel, an NHS GP, explained the rarity of in-utero surgery for spina bifida. "Only 1 in 1,000 pregnancies require this type of procedure," she said, according to DailyMail. "In this case, the foetus needed surgery while the mother was pregnant with them. It's usually done to treat a life-threatening birth defect. Many children with spina bifida live into adulthood with the proper treatment and care. The estimated mean age for a person with spina bifida is 40. Although living with it is often difficult, many individuals can lead independent and fulfilling lives."
Originally published in Parent Herald.
