An unborn baby successfully underwent spinal cord surgery from inside the mother’s womb in a groundbreaking operation, it was revealed.

Surgeons performed the pioneering procedure at 24 weeks’ gestation after scans revealed the feotus had spina bifida.

The condition can leave sufferers with walking difficulties and even paralysis because the spinal cord does not fully develop during pregnancy.

Surgeons from University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital, along with Belgian colleagues, managed to repair the spinal cord and it is now hoped the baby will be born healthily in April.

It is believed to be only the fourth time the operation has been attempted in the UK.

Initially the parents, Bethan Simpson and her husband Kieron, were told they could terminate the pregnancy or continue without any intervention.

But at a subsequent appointment they were offered feotal surgery.

“We agreed to do it,” said the 26-year-old.

“Baby and I went through amniotic fluid tests, MRIs and relentless scans. We got approved and we planned for surgery. Our lives were such a rollercoaster for the next few weeks."