Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye: Meet the Nigerian Doctor who delivered a baby twice
Dr. Olutoye took LynLee Boemer out of her mother's stomach at 23 weeks, returned the fetus and delivered her again at 9 months.
If you've ever used a Nigerian hospital or been served by a physician with a Nigerian name, you will know that Nigerian doctors are usually the butt of jokes about their incompetence.
Nigerian Doctor, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye is one who has, perhaps unwittingly, put a chink in that perception with one of the most unlikely feats in childbirth.
He will be remembered as the physician who won for a hopeful family, the team and for his profession after he successfully delivered the same baby on two separate occassions in good health.
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A small chance at life
Margaret Boemer, the mother of the child, went for a routine ultrasound checkup at the Texas Children's Hospital 16 weeks into her pregnancy
"They saw something on the scan, and the doctor came in and told us that there was something seriously wrong with our baby and that she had a sacrococcygeal teratoma," the mom said in an interview shared by Texas Children's Hospital. "And it was very shocking and scary, because we didn't know what that long word meant or what diagnosis that would bring."
A large tumor was stealing the child's blood supply and many doctors advised the mother to terminate the pregjnancy.
When it seemed they had no options, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye and his partner surgeon, Dr. Darrell Cass concluded that the baby should be delivered for an emergency surgery.
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With small chance of success, the baby was taken out 23 weeks in to her mother's preganancy. The procedure was performed on her and she was returned into her mother's womb.
Miracles do happen
Under the watchful eye of Dr. Olutoye, Mrs. Boemer was kept under bed rest for the remainder of her pregancy. After 12 weeks had passed and she had reached her full term, it was time again for the Nigerian-born physician to work his magic.
This time, the baby, named LynLee for her grandmothers, was delivered safely to an expectant mother.
Dr. Olutoye has since been shown appreciation by various tiers of society and the Nigerian government.
His feat reminds us that Nigerians, wherever they are in the world, are capable of life-changing feats.
LynLee Boemer will forever owe her life to Dr. Olutoye. As the good doctor must know, there is no greater gift than giving life to another.
At home, the gap for such gifted physicians is still very present. But that is another conversation. Until that gap is filled, it is only natural that we hope Nigerians like these are celebrated as much as they deserve.
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