In 2012, a routine ultrasound revealed an unexpected and startling discovery for Tammy Gonzalez, a Miami mother. Doctors noticed a large bubble above her baby’s mouth, which was later identified as a teratoma—a rare and typically fatal tumor affecting 1 in 100,000 births. Doctors suggested terminating the pregnancy, but Gonzalez refused, believing something could be done to save her baby.

She learned about endoscopic surgery, a procedure never before attempted for this purpose. Dr. Ruben Quintero of Jackson Memorial Hospital performed the surgery, inserting a tiny camera and tools through a small incision in Gonzalez’s abdomen to remove the tumor. Gonzalez was awake during the procedure, which was successful. The tumor, too large to remove entirely during surgery, shrank significantly by the time of her baby’s birth.

Her daughter, Leyna, is now healthy, with only a tiny scar on her mouth, and has thrived despite the initial scare. “She is my little miracle child,” Gonzalez said.