'My little boy was born twice ... it saved his life'

"He is just the most amazing little boy and we couldn’t be more grateful for how far he has come."

A mum has shared the incredible story about how her young son was ‘born twice’.

Lisa Coffee, 23, explained how her son Luca underwent a rare surgery for spina bifida, where he was temporarily delivered from her womb and then placed back inside to continue the pregnancy. 

Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. This can lead to various complications, such as mobility issues.

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Lisa said it was crucial that her son was removed from her stomach as the surgery was potentially lifesaving 

"Everyone is so happy and amazed that he’s able to do this,” she said. 

“It has been an emotional journey for my family, but in such a positive way.

"I am so proud of how far he has come, and I’m incredibly grateful that the surgery has given him a chance to hopefully walk one day."

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Lisa and Reece with their son Luca. Picture: @lisaacoffee / CATERS NEWS

Rare surgery saves baby Luca's life

Lisa, from the UK, first learned about Luca's spina bifida during her pregnancy. 

At 27 weeks, doctors performed a rare foetal surgery where Luca was briefly taken out of her womb to repair the defect, before being placed back inside to finish developing.

He was then carried to 38 weeks.

Despite being born with the inability to walk, Luca defied the odds. He’s making progress through his physiotherapy sessions, offering hope for his future.

Lucas has a scar on his back from his surgery, and also has a condition called Chiari malformation, where part of the brain extends into the spinal canal.

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The large scar on Luca's back from his surgery. Picture: @lisaacoffee / CATERS NEWS

"It was worth it"

Lisa was relieved to finally meet her son at 38 weeks and said she was over the moon to be bringing him home after just eight days in the NICU. 

"I stayed in the NICU for about a week so they could monitor us, but it was worth it,” she said. 

"The cerebellum is reversing itself and continues to improve.

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"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.

"He is just the most amazing little boy and we couldn’t be more grateful for how far he has come."

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Luca has been working with a physiotherapist since he turned one. Picture: @lisaacoffee / CATERS NEWS

Extremely rare condition

GP Dr Hana Patel said Luca’s condition was rare.

“Only one in 1000 pregnancies requires this type of operation,” she said.

“It is a growing area of medicine that can save the life of a baby who has a malformation or disease.

“Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect. The neural tube is the structure that eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord.

"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 years. 

“Spina bifida is a permanent, incurable condition. Although living with it is often difficult, many individuals can lead independent and fulfilling lives."

Originally published as 'My little boy was born twice ... it saved his life'