A baby boy named Ryu Lopez has made headlines after his extraordinary birth, defying medical odds by developing outside his mother’s womb due to a rare condition. His mother, Suze Lopez, discovered her pregnancy just days before giving birth, unaware that a basketball-sized ovarian cyst had concealed her son for most of the term. This situation is so uncommon that doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles plan to document the case for a medical journal.
Only about 1 in 30,000 pregnancies occur in the abdomen instead of the uterus, and those that reach full term are “essentially unheard of,” according to Dr. John Ozimek, medical director of labor and delivery at the hospital. He described Ryu’s situation as “really insane,” highlighting how rare it is for a baby to survive such an atypical pregnancy.
Suze Lopez, a 41-year-old nurse from Bakersfield, California, had been monitored for her ovarian cyst since her twenties. After previously having her right ovary removed, she believed her growing abdomen was merely a sign of the cyst expanding. Despite not experiencing typical pregnancy symptoms—such as morning sickness or fetal movement—she continued her life as usual, even traveling abroad with her husband, Andrew Lopez.
The turning point came when Suze felt increasing pain and pressure in her abdomen, prompting her to seek medical assistance. A routine pregnancy test before a CT scan revealed the unexpected news: she was pregnant. The couple celebrated at a Dodgers baseball game in August, where Suze surprised Andrew with the news through a thoughtful gift.
Shortly after this revelation, Suze’s health deteriorated, leading her to Cedars-Sinai for treatment. There, doctors discovered her dangerously high blood pressure and conducted further tests, including blood work and imaging. The results showed a nearly full-term fetus in an amniotic sac nestled in her abdomen, near her liver.
Dr. Ozimek explained that while the fetus was not directly invading any organs, the situation remained precarious. Pregnancies that implant outside the uterus, known as ectopic pregnancies, typically lead to severe complications, including ruptures and hemorrhaging if not addressed. A 2023 article highlighted that fetal mortality can reach as high as 90% in such cases.
On August 18, 2023, a surgical team delivered Ryu, who weighed 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms), while simultaneously removing the cyst. Suze lost nearly all her blood during the procedure, but the team managed to stabilize her condition and provided blood transfusions. Andrew recalled feeling a mix of fear and hope throughout the operation, praying for the safety of his wife and newborn.
Both mother and son have recovered well following the surgery. Dr. Ozimek remarked on the miraculous nature of their survival, stating, “It was really, really remarkable.” Since then, Ryu has thrived, bringing joy to his family, including his 18-year-old sister, Kaila, who is delighted to welcome her new brother.
As Ryu approaches his first Christmas, Suze reflects on the experience with gratitude. “I do believe in miracles,” she said, gazing at her son. “God gave us this gift—the best gift ever.” The family’s remarkable journey underscores the unpredictability of life and the strength of the human spirit in the face of the extraordinary.
