SAVANNAH Ga. ()– Memorial Health Hospital performed a rare Ex Utero Intrapartum Treat (EXIT) procedure on July 1, one not many hospitals in the country are equipped to handle.

Raegan Barnard and her baby Charolotte endured a long journey leading up to the procedure. Charolotte had a growth under her tongue in utero, which was causing an obstruction in her airways.

Dr. Brad Buckler, Memorial Health level 3 NICU medical director, said the medical team faced specific hurdles. “The problem is that once you cut the umbilical cord, now the baby has to do all the breathing, providing all the oxygen for herself. We weren’t sure she was going to be able to do that.”

A team of 31 medical professionals worked together to perform a C-section, partially delivering Charolotte. They then attached a breathing tube to her in only 22 seconds, allowing her to get oxygen as she was removed from her mother.

Barnard told News 3 it’s hard to describe her emotions. “I can’t even describe it when you’re talking about it. I mean, I feel like the whole pregnancy and everything, it was just so stressful from the beginning, but we had so many people praying for us and the team that cared for us here, which is it’s all just truly amazing.”

Memorial Health has only performed this surgery 3 times and the last time was more than a decade ago. The team had multiple long meetings leading up to the operation, with step-by-step practices on a fake patient to ensure everyone was in the right place at the right time.

Barnard said the nurses who took care of her and Charlotte during that stressful time have become family. “Everybody’s been great so I’m truly so thankful for everything.”

Dr. Bucker said they recorded the procedure to help educate other medical professionals and patients in the future. He also said Charolotte has had no complications and is a healthy baby.