How womb bypass saved 'miracle' baby in rare abdominal pregnancy

In many parts of Kenya, pregnancy is a journey shaped by hope, resilience, and sometimes uncertainty. But for 34-year-old-old Mercy Aduke, that journey took a path few women ever experience. Her pregnancy was not just complicated it was extraordinary. The child she carried was growing outside her womb, in a condition that challenges even the most experienced doctors.

“I’m happy to give birth to my second child. This is something I’ve been dreaming about for years, and now I am a mother of two. I feel honoured every time someone calls me ‘mother,’” says Mercy, a vegetable vendor and mother from Kenya, Kisumu County.

Her voice carries the warmth of hope and the weight of the extraordinary journey she has endured, one that medical professionals describe as nothing short of miraculous.

Last year, Mercy experienced a pregnancy unlike any she or her doctors had ever encountered — a rare and life-threatening condition known as a true abdominal pregnancy. What followed was a sequence of events that combined medical expertise, persistence and faith, culminating in the survival of both mother and child against staggering odds.

“I felt unwell and visited a health facility. That’s when they told me I showed signs of pregnancy. At first, it was a surprise,” Mercy recalls.

Initially, she felt elation at the thought of welcoming a second-born child, a dream she had long nurtured. However, her happiness was soon interrupted by alarming physical symptoms. “A few days later, I started bleeding heavily. I went to a Level 3 hospital and was told I was okay. But the bleeding continued intermittently,” she explains.

Distressed, she later sought care at Kisumu County Referral Hospital, where tests confirmed her pregnancy but with a shocking revelation: the fetus was growing outside the uterus, in her abdominal cavity.

“I was lost for words. Medics told me it is rare, but it can happen. I was now among those few cases,” Mercy says.

Dr Gabriel Eliazaro, the lead gynaecologist involved in Mercy’s care at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) explains. “Usually, a pregnancy develops in the uterus, where the fetus is protected and nourished. In abdominal pregnancies, the fetus grows entirely outside the uterus, sometimes attached to organs such as the intestines, ovaries, rectum, liver, or spleen. This is extremely high-risk. The mother faces a 50 per cent mortality risk, and the fetus often does not survive, with an estimated perinatal mortality rate of 85 per cent.”

While ectopic pregnancies themselves are uncommon,  occurring in roughly one per cent of all pregnancies, true abdominal pregnancies are exceedingly rare, representing less than one per cent of ectopics, with fewer than 30 cases documented globally. The rarity and danger of such cases are staggering.

“Because there is no protective environment of the uterus, the fetus can experience physical deformities, restricted growth, and nutritional deficits. The mother can experience catastrophic haemorrhage, which can be fatal if not managed promptly in a fully equipped facility,” Dr Eliazaro adds.

Hospital coordination

Mercy’s survival was a testament not only to her determination but also to effective healthcare coordination. She was initially identified by a community health provider (CHP) after her local health facility suggested her pregnancy might have been lost. The CHP referred her to Kisumu County Referral Hospital, where an ultrasound revealed an abdominal pregnancy.

“We consulted with JOOTRH using our hospital network, allowing specialists to review the case before the patient even arrived,” Dr Eliazaro says. This coordinated response ensured that Mercy received care from a multidisciplinary team, including a methanofetal specialist, gynaecologists, anaesthetists, and neonatal specialists, all prepared for the complexities of the surgery ahead.

Labour pains eventually brought Mercy to JOOTRH. “The doctors were already aware of my situation. Preparations were done, and I was taken to the theatre for delivery through surgery,” she recounts.

The surgical team faced a delicate challenge: the fetus was full-term, weighing 3,200 grams (3.2kg), without any physical deformities—a remarkable outcome given the extremely high risks of abdominal pregnancies. The placenta, attached to critical organs including the intestines and rectum, could not be safely removed without risking fatal bleeding. It was therefore left in the mother’s body to be naturally absorbed, with Mercy now under close monitoring for any complications.

Dr Eliazaro explains the complexity of such procedures: “During abdominal pregnancy delivery, meticulous planning is needed. The placenta often draws blood from multiple organs, and removal can result in uncontrollable haemorrhage. Neonatal specialists are essential because the baby may have underdeveloped lungs and other organs due to a lack of uterine protection.”

Mercy’s survival, and that of her newborn, whom she aptly named Baby Miracle, was a rare success. “Most abdominal pregnancies end in early loss or severe complications. For a baby to grow to term and survive without deformities is extraordinary,” Dr Eliazaro says.

During her pregnancy, Mercy had refused suggestions from private facilities to terminate it, driven by the hope of finally having her second child. “I trusted the traditional birth attendant and later the referral hospitals. My faith in the doctors and in myself never wavered,” she explains.

Faith Adhiambo, a midwife at JOOTRH, emphasises the role of antenatal care. “The moment a woman realises she is pregnant, she should seek care at a reputable facility. Clinics allow us to monitor the pregnancy, detect complications early, and intervene when necessary. Patients also need to know their rights since they can accept or refuse recommendations, such as termination, if uncertain.”

Mercy echoes this advice: “Women must visit good facilities, attend clinics regularly, and seek help when anything seems unusual. My life and my baby’s life could have been lost at home.”

Dr Clinton Okise, acting CEO of JOOTRH, is confident that the facility is ready to handle such complex cases

“Our team is trained for high-risk deliveries. With the government’s support in providing sophisticated medical equipment, we are capable of handling cases previously considered impossible in East Africa. Complicated surgeries like Mercy’s are why referral hospitals exist. We strive to save lives every day.”

Equipped facilities 

The surgery also underscores the importance of equipped facilities and coordinated medical teams. In Mercy’s case, the availability of blood transfusions, neonatal support, anaesthetists, and surgical expertise was critical.

“Had she delayed arrival by even one minute, the outcome could have been fatal,” Dr Okise emphasises.

Dr Osir Naomie Njuhi, paediatrics officer at JOOTRH, describes Baby Miracle’s initial care. “The baby experienced low glucose levels because of the delayed delivery and inability to breastfeed immediately, but after supportive care, breastfeeding started successfully. The mother also fared well post-surgery. Both are expected to make full recoveries.”

Adhiambo adds, “Mercy’s cooperation made post-natal management smoother. Patients who understand the process and follow instructions enable us to provide effective care.”

Mercy’s story highlights not only a rare medical miracle but also the critical importance of maternal and newborn health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns. Most deaths are preventable with low-cost interventions and access to quality healthcare.

In Kenya, four newborns die every hour, translating to approximately 33,600 deaths annually, alongside 5,000 maternal deaths. Leading causes include antepartum haemorrhage, obstructed labour, ectopic pregnancy, abortion complications, and ruptured uterus. The country requires $138 million USD to scale up newborn care, projected to save 47,000 newborn lives, 4,600 maternal deaths, and 11,000 stillbirths between 2026 and 2030.

Abdominal pregnancy remains among the rarest obstetric conditions. Research indicates an incidence of 1:10,000 to 1:30,000 pregnancies, with maternal mortality rates ranging from 0.5 per cent to 18 per cent if not diagnosed early, and perinatal mortality rates between 40 per cent and 95 per cent.

At the just-concluded International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC 2026) in Nairobi, Kenya (23-26 March 2026), the Kenyan government reinforced its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths through strategic policy shifts and national acceleration plans.

JOOTRH and health experts emphasise early antenatal care, facility-based deliveries, and community awareness.

Dr Okise urges husbands and families to support expectant mothers financially and emotionally, ensuring safe deliveries. “Every minute counts in maternal emergencies. Facilities equipped for complex surgeries save lives.”

Adhiambo adds: “Insurance coverage and early registration at hospitals ease financial burdens, allowing women to access life-saving interventions without delays.”

Mercy is now recovering, caring for her newborn, and reflecting on her journey. “I learned the importance of hospitals in maternal health. If I had delivered at home, I could have died. I want all women to seek proper care and attend clinics. This experience has taught me to value life and the miracles it can hold.”

Baby Miracle is living proof that with expert care, even the most dangerous pregnancies can result in healthy mothers and babies. As Kenya and the world grapple with high maternal and newborn mortality, Mercy’s experience underscores the urgent need to invest in healthcare, expand access, and strengthen emergency obstetric services.