Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Doctor Kim Mulvhill reportingDoctors are performing cutting edge surgeries and saving the lives of unborn babies who otherwise would die.
Twenty five years ago, babies born with some common birth defects died. Now, thanks to pioneering techniques developed and refined at UCSF, some of these babies not only survive, they go on to live normal lives.
A warning, some pictures may not be appropriate for younger children.
Doctors Michael Harrison and Sam Hawgood are two of the top guns involved in these miracles.
Dr. Michael Harrison, M.D., UCSF Children's Hospital: "There are some fetuses that have problems that need to be fixed and we now have the ability to offer some of them real hope.
Dr. Harrison performed the world's first fetal surgery in 1981. Today, the technique has turned high tech. Instead of cutting open a uterus, Dr. Harrison uses endoscopy: A tiny camera and miniature surgical instruments are inserted into three small holes in the womb - - all to help fix structural defects in unborn babies.
Dr. Michael Harrison, M.D., UCSF Children's Hospital: "It evolved from maximally invasive to minimally invasive"
This is actual footage of a surgery. Inside this womb is a tiny fetus with a hole in her diaphragm. That hole allowed the organs in her belly to move into the chest. Preventing the normal development of her lungs.
Kristen Garcia, Mother: "All I was thinking about was save my baby"
Dr. Harrison and his team - guided by both ultrasound and the camera - close off the fetus' windpipe, allowing her lungs to expand with fluid, and to develop properly. Eight weeks later, Kristen Garcia of Union City is finally ready to give birth.
Using a c-section, surgeons bring the baby out, and quickly unblock her windpipe. That baby today - - - - is six year old analisa angelique.
Kristen Garcia, Mother: "You couldn't tell that anything was ever wrong with her"
Tony Garcia, Father : "She's just so much energy and beauty and I mean.. my price and joy You know I can't wait to come home every day and just to see her smile"
Detecting life-threatening birth defects like these *before* a baby is born is key,
Sam Hawgood, M.D., UCSF Children's Hospital: "So they are not catch as catch can when they pop up"
An experienced team of prenatal specialists, surgeons and neonatal experts can then plan out life-saving treatments ahead of time. But there's a bottom line:
Sam Hawgood, M.D., UCSF Children's Hospital: "We won't do anything that would jeopardize the mother's health or jeopardize the mother's life"
Not all babies can be saved. Thankfully in this case, there was a happy ending.
Kristen Garcia, Mother: "We finally have another baby. And everything went fine this time"
