Doctors Perform First Ever Procedure in Montana

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By Gillette Vaira

Story Published: Dec 9, 2011 at 12:06 AM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 9, 2011 at 4:05 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Doctors have operated on a baby still inside the womb for the first time in Montana.

At 24 weeks gestation, Tonya Barent found out her baby had a rare, life threatening bladder obstruction. About 24 hours later, doctors at St. Vincent Healthcare inserted a stent into her uterus and into the baby's bladder. They later had to redo the procedure, as the baby, Emersyn, got a hold of the stent with her hand inside her mother's womb.

Doctors delivered Emersyn in Denver, where she spent 60 days. Now her parents, Tonya and Cody, have their baby at home in Red Lodge.

"It's made our family so much stronger, and appreciate the little things in life. It's just amazing," said Tonya Barent. "You know and you really find out your strengths you thought you couldn't imagine you have, you find."

The in-utero surgery took place in June. Emersyn was born Aug. 30 at 35 weeks, weighing six pounds. Now she weighs 10 pounds, but she has more doctors’ visits ahead for her in Billings and Denver. Doctors say one out of every 100,000 births result in Emersyn's rare condition.

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