Image credits: Lynlee Boemer
One year ago, doctors performed a rare and risky procedure to save a baby’s life before she was even born.
Today, she’s crawling, standing, and saying her first words.
Key Takeaways
- Lynlee Boemer underwent rare open fetal surgery at 23 weeks to remove a life-threatening spinal tumor.
- The tumor occurs in about 1 in 40,000 pregnancies and was putting her at risk of heart failure.
- After being partially delivered during surgery and returned to the womb, Lynlee was born weeks later via C-section — what her mother calls her “second birth.”
- Now one year old, she is meeting developmental milestones and inspiring other families facing similar diagnoses.
Lynlee Boemer, who underwent emergency fetal surgery at the Texas Children’s Fetal Center in Houston, recently celebrated her first birthday, a milestone that once felt uncertain.
During her mother Margaret’s pregnancy, doctors discovered that Lynlee had a large and dangerous tumor called a sacrococcygeal teratoma growing from her spine. The mass was highly vascular and was diverting blood away from the baby’s body, putting her at risk of heart failure.
The condition is rare, occurring in roughly 1 in 40,000 pregnancies.
At just 23 weeks pregnant, Margaret underwent emergency open fetal surgery. Doctors carefully made an incision in her uterus and partially delivered Lynlee, just enough to access and remove most of the tumor. After the delicate five-hour procedure, the baby was placed back inside her mother’s womb so the pregnancy could continue.
Image credits: Lynlee Boemer
During surgery, Lynlee’s heart briefly stopped and had to be restarted. She also required a blood transfusion.
Despite the risks, surgeons were able to remove about 90 percent of the tumor, giving her a fighting chance.
As the pregnancy progressed, the remaining portion of the tumor began growing again. At 36 weeks, Lynlee was delivered by cesarean section on June 6, 2016, what her mother has described as her “second birth.”
“It was her second birth, basically,” Margaret previously shared. “It was a relief to finally see her and know she had made it through everything.”
Just eight days later, Lynlee underwent another surgery to remove the rest of the tumor.
After weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, the family was finally able to take her home.
Image credits: Lynlee Boemer
Now, one year later, Lynlee is thriving. According to Texas Children’s Hospital, she is meeting developmental milestones: crawling, pulling herself up to stand, and beginning to talk.
Her journey has also inspired other families. Margaret says one of the greatest blessings of sharing their story has been hearing from expectant mothers facing the same diagnosis. She often directs them to the Texas Children’s Fetal Center, offering reassurance drawn from her own experience.
There may still be challenges ahead related to Lynlee’s tailbone and development, but her parents say they are simply grateful.
For them, every milestone feels like a miracle.
It’s stories like these that bring people together and remind us of what truly matters. Small moments of care, empathy, and love can leave a lasting impact – not just on those involved, but on everyone who hears them.
Find more meaningful, feel-good stories on Simply Wholesome and stay connected with moments that uplift and inspire.
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