British woman has pioneering keyhole surgery to treat unborn 'miracle' baby

Published: 15:55, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 15:56, 3 August 2026 A British woman has had pioneering womb surgery to treat her unborn baby after his intestines began growing outside his body. Maisie Savage was operated on by a team of surgeons in Texas after her son Theo was diagnosed with complex gastroschisis, a condition where the belly button does not develop properly and the intestines grow externally. Doctors used keyhole surgery techniques to reach the baby in Ms Savage's womb when she was 26 weeks pregnant and push his organs back inside his abdomen. Theo, who is now five months old, is said to be doing well, after becoming the third baby in the world to benefit from a clinical trial of the procedure. Ms Savage, 29, from London, and the baby's 36-year-old father, Josh French, expressed their relief at the surgery's success. She told the BBC: 'He’s a little miracle.' Mr French described the diagnosis - made after Ms Savage's 20-week scan - as 'incredibly scary'. The couple, who both work as teachers, were referred by medics at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. Ms Savage, 29, from London, and the baby's 36-year-old father, Josh French, expressed their relief at the surgery's success. They are pictured here together with Theo Maisie Savage was operated on by a team of surgeons in Texas after her son Theo was diagnosed with complex gastroschisis The couple are seen together in the hospital after doctors carried out ground-breaking surgery on their unborn baby Dr Michael Belfort, who led the team of paediatric surgeons, described the results as 'just remarkable', with Theo being born naturally in Texas They were both told to travel to Texas immediately, with Ms Savage describing the choice to go ahead with the procedure as a 'huge decision'. During the operation, amniotic fluid was drained from Ms Savage's womb and replaced with carbon dioxide to give surgeons room to carry out the procedure. Dr Michael Belfort, who led the team of paediatric surgeons, described the results as 'just remarkable', with Theo being born naturally in Texas. Ms Savage said: 'Everything they did just completely reversed what could have been a really horrible start to his life, and he’s just the best. He’s a completely normal baby, essentially.' Mr French added: 'We both feel incredibly fortunate. The impact they’ve had on us as a family is incredible. They made us feel so welcome, from the team at Great Ormond Street to Dr Belfort and the team. 'Whilst we were over there, the level of care was amazing, and they made a very traumatic time of our lives so much easier, and we’ve got this little man – we couldn’t be happier.'