A doctor has performed astonishing surgery on an unborn baby using a balloon.

Unborn baby Henry was given a slim 5% chance of survival after he was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a condition which stops lung development.

Doctors told Henry’s mum, Emily Smith, that an operation on her unborn baby was required to increase his chance of survival.

In awe, mum Emily watched the procedure on a TV monitor. The doctor inserted a tiny balloon into her baby’s windpipe and inflated it so his lungs could continue to grow in the womb.

Thanks to this life saving in-utero surgery, baby Henry survived. He was delivered by a team of 15 doctors and is now a healthy 15-month-old.

SPUC comment

A SPUC spokesperson said: “The early interventions that can now be used to treat and save unborn children are truly astonishing.

“The stories of these children saved though in utero surgery prove that science is on the side of the pro-life movement. Indeed, scientific developments and new technology are now instilling a sense of awe that society never really had before, about the beauty and dignity of every unborn child.”

Similar stories

Baby girl who had pioneering surgery in the womb celebrates first birthday

Baby Tyler who had successful spina bifida surgery in womb is expected to walk soon