A 41-year-old woman, Suze Lopez, was preparing for surgery to remove a 10kg ovarian cyst when doctors uncovered that she was pregnant. The surprising revelation came after a required pregnancy test, revealing an empty uterus despite the pregnancy. Lopez disclosed the news to her husband at a baseball game, but her condition deteriorated, leading to a diagnosis of an abdominal ectopic pregnancy.
Speaking from a California hospital, Lopez expressed her disbelief at finally being pregnant after years of trying. Medical experts, including John Ozimek, the medical director at Cedars–Sinai, explained the rare situation where Lopez’s pregnancy was located outside her uterus, behind the large ovarian cyst. A skilled team performed a complex surgery to deliver the baby, who was found to be thriving behind the tumour.
Following the delivery, Lopez experienced severe bleeding, requiring 11 units of blood to stabilize her condition. Despite the complications, she gave birth to a baby boy named Ryu, who remarkably survived. Dr. Sara Dayanim, a neonatologist at the hospital, noted Ryu’s quick recovery and resilience, surpassing medical expectations.
The hospital highlighted the rarity and risks associated with abdominal ectopic pregnancies, emphasizing the challenges faced by babies in such situations. This extraordinary case showcased the successful delivery of a healthy baby despite the complex circumstances.