In 2012, Tammy Gonzalez from Miami went in for a routine ultrasound. What she saw on the screen changed everything about her pregnancy.
The image looked innocent at first—her unborn baby seemed to blow a bubble. But as she looked closer, worry started to replace wonder.
Tammy turned to the technician and asked a simple question. “Is that on me or the baby?” she inquired, visibly concerned.
What followed was an unexpected and devastating diagnosis. Doctors identified the “bubble” as a rare tumor—a teratoma.
Teratomas are unusual growths that can develop in unborn babies. They occur in roughly 1 in every 100,000 live births.
The growth was located near the baby’s mouth and growing rapidly. Doctors warned it could threaten both the baby’s life and the pregnancy.
They advised Tammy to consider terminating the pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage and complications was incredibly high.
But Tammy refused to give up on her baby without a fight. “There must be something we can do,” she insisted.
Searching for answers, she found a cutting-edge possibility. It was a risky procedure that had never been done in this case.
She learned about fetal endoscopic surgery, a new approach. It involved operating on the baby while still in the womb.
Dr. Ruben Quintero led the Fetal Therapy Center in Miami. He agreed to take on Tammy’s incredibly complex case.
The plan was bold—insert a camera and tools into the amniotic sac. The goal: remove the tumor without harming the baby or mother.
Tammy stayed awake for the entire operation. She said it felt like “a popping balloon” when the tools entered.
Doctors carefully navigated to the tumor inside the womb. With steady hands, they managed to remove the growth.
However, the tumor was too large to extract from the sac. So it was left floating until Tammy’s baby could be delivered.
Over the next four months, Tammy carried her baby carefully. Despite everything, her pregnancy continued without major issues.
When it was finally time, Tammy gave birth to a baby girl. Her daughter Leyna was healthy, despite the odds she faced.
Leyna had only a small scar on the roof of her mouth. It was the only physical sign of her dramatic prenatal battle.
Tammy held her daughter and called her a miracle. The overwhelming joy replaced months of fear and anxiety.
Medical experts called the case a breakthrough in fetal surgery. It opened new possibilities for treating similar conditions early.
The successful procedure made headlines across the country. Doctors praised Tammy’s courage and determination to proceed.
Tammy said she knew in her heart her baby deserved a chance. “She fought, and I was going to fight right alongside her,”
she said.
The surgery wouldn’t have been possible just years before. Thanks to new tools and research, medicine took a bold step forward.
Dr. Quintero said Tammy’s case marked a turning point. It showed how far fetal surgery had come—and where it could go.
Leyna continued to grow up healthy and happy. Her early struggle became part of her incredible story.
Tammy often reflects on the ultrasound that started it all. A bubble-like image turned into a fight for life.
She credits the doctors for their innovation and bravery. But also believes a mother’s love made all the difference.
Her journey inspired other families facing rare diagnoses. Many reached out, hopeful about their own difficult pregnancies.
Tammy continues to share her story to raise awareness.
She wants other parents to know there may be options.