Miracle Baby, Born Twice, Makes Healthy Recovery

When Margaret and Jeff Boemer of Plano, Texas, went in for their 16-week prenatal checkup, it was not good news. Doctors informed the couple that their unborn child was suffering from a sacrococcygeal teratoma, a large tumor growing near the base of the tailbone.

By 23 weeks, the tumor was nearly as large as the fetus itself, and competing with the baby for the mother’s blood and nourishment. If it grew any larger, it could cause cardiac failure for the fetus. Doctors gave the couple two options: They could terminate the pregnancy, or they could opt for an open fetal surgery, which only had a 50% chance of success.

“It was an easy decision for us: We wanted to give her life,” Margaret said.

The couple shared their story through a GoFundMe page to help assist with the costs of the surgery. As even healthy young couples with a normal reproductive system have only a 20% to 25% chance of conceiving in any given month, the Boemers wanted to give their future daughter, whom they named Lynlee, the best chance at life.

Carefully taking her from her mother’s womb, surgeons were able to remove 90% of the tumor from the one-pound Lynlee before putting her back in to continue the pregnancy.

“It was a shock to Lynlee’s system, so they did have to help restart her heart and give her a blood transfusion,” Margaret said. “Once she was stable, they put her back in and sewed up my uterus and abdomen. Then it became a wait-and-see game.”

Twelve weeks later, Lynlee was officially born through a Cesarean section. “It was her second birth basically,” said Margaret.

The healthy baby has since undergone additional surgery to remove the remaining parts of the tumor. Mom says “she has no heart issues now and is just doing amazing.”

The Boemers remain grateful for their “miracle baby” who was born twice.

“Through this entire experience, we have trusted in God to get us through each day,” Margaret said.