During fetal surgery for spina bifida, the baby is partially removed from the womb, and the opening over the fetus' spinal cord is sewn shut. It's not a cure – the baby will still suffer from some level of impairment, but it does seem to lesson the severity of spina bifida by preventing further damage to the spinal cord. In addition, although it's too soon to tell conclusively, the surgery seems to cut down on the severity of the hydrocephalus that often accompanies spina bifida, thus, leading to fewer developmental delays.

Shannon Nunnery, whose son Thaddeus was born in December 2001, had the surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia when she was 26 weeks pregnant. Thaddeus currently does not have a shunt, and doctors think he will eventually walk with ankle braces.

However, fetal surgery is still a relatively new procedure, and there are risks associated with it for both Mother and Baby. A good obstetrician who is experienced in high-risk pregnancy is essential in making the right decision.