Baby born completely healthy after miracle surgery in the womb

Georgia and Tyler were told their daughter had spina bifida before she was even born, but pioneering surgery has changed everything.

Piper-Kohl Kelly had surgery on her spine while in the womb to stop her being born with a disability.

The condition generally causes weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs, leaving sufferers dependent on supports or crutches, and in severe cases they will need a wheelchair.

Medics told Georgia, 19, and Tyler, 21 the only treatment available in the UK was surgery by a doctor who’d never performed the op before, so instead they paid almost $16,000 to have it done in Germany.

Piper-Kohl was born prematurely at 30 weeks and four days – and now shares a birthday and name with Prof. Thomas Kohl, the surgeon who carried out the operation.

“She was covered in wires when she was first born but it was just the best feeling to see her. She was just so tiny,” George said.

“You could really see the mark on her spine when she was first born. It really makes you think how incredible the procedure was.

“We named Piper after the surgeon as a thank you for all he has done.”

The three-hour operation saw surgeons insert a ‘fetoscope’ – a small telescope with a camera and light and two instruments – through a hole in Georgia’s abdomen.

Surgeons attached a 3.5cm collagen patch used to treat burns victims over Piper’s spine when she was just 2.1oz (60gs).

The patch covered the exposed nerves and will repair cognitive and lower limb development, to stop the baby being paralysed.

After the successful operation on June 13 the couple, from Yate, England, returned home where Georgia was told to rest up until her due date on October 2.

“I would honestly recommend the surgery to anyone who is a similar boat to us,” she said.

“It was a bit scary at the time and was a lot of money but it was absolutely worth it.”

But on their day of their follow-up scan, six weeks later, Georgia went into an early labour.

She was rushed to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, where doctors performed an emergency C-section delivering Piper-Kohl born at 9:31am, on July 28, weighing 3lb 10oz (1.4kg).

Born nine weeks premature she spent the next two months in intensive care, before being allowed to go home.

“I didn’t get to hold her until 5pm that evening as the nurses said I needed to get some rest,” Georgia said.

They won’t know for certain whether the operation has been a complete success until she starts to walk – but so far doctors can’t see any signs of a problem and she’s totally healthy.

“We won’t know if the operation completely worked until she starts walking, but all looks good at the moment,” she said.

“In a couple of months, she’ll be able to sit up by herself so that might help show if it worked.”

“I’m just so happy she’s here.”

Proud dad Tyler said they were a bit anxious when Georgia went into labour but Piper was actually a lot bigger than they were anticipating.

“When she was first born there was a little open red wound from the operation,” Tyler said.

“It wasn’t until we took her home that we felt like proper parents. Professor Thomas Kohl is an amazing bloke and we wanted to

“We’re still in contact with him and keep him posted on Piper’s progress.

“We’d love to take Piper to Germany so she could meet him.”

With additional reporting by Mega/SWNS.

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