Born With Her Spinal Cord Exposed — A Baby Girl Underwent a Seven-Hour Operation on Her Second Day of Life

When Autumnn and Cody Owens welcomed their daughter Lucinda on February 11, 2025, they could not hold her the way most parents hold their newborn babies.

Lucinda had been born with an exceptionally severe form of spina bifida. Part of her spinal cord was exposed, without the normal protection of skin and surrounding tissue.

Every movement required extraordinary care. Her medical team knew they needed to act quickly to protect the vulnerable spinal cord and give her the best possible chance of survival.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Lucinda’s condition presented an unusually complex surgical challenge.

Spina bifida occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not develop normally during pregnancy. In severe cases, delicate neural tissue can remain exposed at birth.

Lucinda also had a significant spinal deformity, making it especially difficult for doctors to repair the affected area without compromising her future growth.

Her parents faced an overwhelming reality: their newborn daughter needed major surgery almost immediately.

Doctors Could Not Let Her Spinal Cord Remain Exposed

Lucinda was delivered by Caesarean section at 37 weeks.

Because her spinal cord lacked protective skin, her parents were initially unable to hold or touch her normally.

Specialists in neurosurgery, orthopedic spine surgery and plastic surgery at Norton Children’s in Louisville, Kentucky, worked together to develop a treatment plan.

The challenge was not simply closing an opening in her back. Surgeons also had to consider the severe curvature of her spine and how any reconstruction might affect her ability to grow.

A Seven-Hour Operation on Her Second Day of Life

On the second day after her birth, Lucinda underwent an extensive operation lasting approximately seven hours.

Her medical team worked to address the spinal deformity and enclose the exposed spinal cord within protective tissue.

The procedure required careful coordination between multiple surgical specialties.

For Autumnn and Cody, the waiting was an emotional ordeal. Their daughter was only days old, yet she was already facing one of the most significant medical challenges of her life.

Milestones Her Family Once Feared She Might Never Reach

Lucinda’s recovery continued well beyond the operating room.

She required ongoing medical care and monitoring as her family learned how to support her development.

By the time Norton Children’s shared an update in 2026, the little girl was reaching encouraging milestones.

She could sit up, clap her hands, wave hello and enjoy playing with her books.

These everyday childhood moments carried extraordinary meaning for parents who had once been unable to hold their newborn daughter.

A Little Girl With a Remarkable Journey Ahead

Lucinda continues to need specialist follow-up, and her early surgical success does not eliminate the long-term challenges associated with severe spina bifida.

Nevertheless, her progress has given her family many reasons to celebrate.

Her story highlights the importance of coordinated newborn care, innovative surgical planning and the dedication required to treat exceptionally complex congenital conditions.

For Autumnn and Cody, every new achievement is another precious chapter in their daughter’s journey.

Source: Norton Children’s, March 5, 2026; updated July 16, 2026. “On Day 2 of Life, a 7-Hour Spine Surgery Gave Lucinda a Chance at Life.”