A mother from Arizona, advised by medical professionals to end her pregnancy, has welcomed a baby girl despite their recommendations.

At 33 years old, Alex Gooding faced an uncommon type of ectopic pregnancy known as cesarean-section scar ectopic pregnancy (CSEP). This rare condition occurs when the embryo attaches itself to scar tissue in the uterus formed after a previous cesarean section.

After being diagnosed with this complication at five weeks, doctors urged her to terminate the pregnancy. They warned that if her C-section scar ruptured, it could result in severe bleeding, endangering both her life and that of the baby. They also mentioned the possibility of a hysterectomy if the placenta grew into her uterus, and expressed concern over the fetus’s chances of survival.

Despite the medical advice, Ms. Gooding stood firm in her beliefs, motivated by her faith. On February 4, she gave birth to her daughter, Chloe Marie, prematurely via C-section at 33 weeks, weighing 4 pounds and 4 ounces.

Following her birth, Chloe was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and required oxygen support and a feeding tube. However, Ms. Gooding reports that her daughter is progressing well.

Alex Gooding, 33, from Arizona, experienced a rare cesarean-section scar ectopic pregnancy (CSEP), where the embryo fuses to scar tissue formed from a previous C-section.

She was advised to terminate due to concerns for the lives of both mother and child. She gave birth to Chloe Marie via C-section on February 4.

During her pregnancy, Ms. Gooding suffered from placenta accreta, a condition where the placenta grows excessively into the uterine wall. To prevent excessive bleeding, she opted to have her uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes removed post-delivery.

A devout Orthodox Christian, Ms. Gooding shared on Instagram that despite being warned by other physicians about dire consequences for both herself and her baby, she believed those statements stemmed from their lack of experience with such high-risk complications. She remarked, “I was referred to the best specialist for this type of pregnancy. Having an experienced medical provider made a significant difference in my journey and delivery.”

Expressing gratitude for her medical team, she added, “I know the Lord was involved. My doctor possesses a remarkable gift in his field, undoubtedly prepared for this crucial work by divine guidance.”

Ms. Gooding gained considerable attention on social media after announcing her decision to carry the pregnancy, amassing 171,000 followers by October. Responses varied, with some criticizing her for seeming ‘selfish’ and potentially leaving her seven other children without a mother, while others commended her fierce dedication to preserving a young life.

Throughout her pregnancy, she often refrained from sharing updates amid public scrutiny. However, at week 30, she disclosed a brief hospitalization due to vaginal bleeding, a possible complication associated with CSEP pregnancies.

Once Chloe was born, her followers celebrated with joy, offering congratulations and support.

Chloe is now a week old, being cared for in the hospital. The timeline for her home discharge remains uncertain.

This image from Nezhat surgery in New York City illustrates the appearance of the uterus with a C-section scar, where the embryo implants.

Ectopic pregnancies occur when fertilized eggs implant outside the uterus, which can happen in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Approximately 1-2% of all pregnancies in the United States are ectopic, and sadly, these pregnancies have a minimal chance of survival.

CSEP is an exceptionally rare form of ectopic pregnancy, occurring in about 0.05% of all pregnancies, according to a 2019 study. While these pregnancies often present similarly to regular pregnancies, they entail a higher risk of complications, including hemorrhaging and potential hysterectomy due to abnormal placenta placement.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine advises against carrying these pregnancies to term due to the inherent risks. However, women still possess the option to disregard this advice after being fully informed of the risks involved.

Operating on the technical aspect, she underwent a c-hyst, a procedure where a delivery occurs through C-section followed by a hysterectomy. Ms. Gooding stated that although doctors indicated they might be able to preserve her uterus and other reproductive organs, she declined their attempts, expressing that Chloe would be her last child.

Fortunately, there were no reported complications during her C-section delivery, and Chloe appeared to be in good health.

Ms. Gooding at the outset of her pregnancy.

Ms. Gooding with her family prior to the arrival of Chloe Marie.

After her birth, Chloe’s APGAR score measured eight or nine, as shared by Ms. Gooding on Instagram. The APGAR score evaluates a newborn’s immediate health through five criteria: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration, each rated from zero to two. A score between seven and ten is regarded as healthy.

As a precaution, Chloe was quickly transferred to NICU care and placed on a CPAP machine to assist with her breathing. After two days, she was successfully taken off the machine and showed improvements for a full day, but then experienced intermittent drops in heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

On the second night after being removed from the CPAP, her oxygen levels fell dangerously low, prompting medical staff to reinstate the respiratory support.

Ms. Gooding described the experience in the NICU as unpredictable, stating, “There are rarely full good days; it’s often two steps forward and one step back.”

Chloe was born seven weeks early, yet she surpassed the minimum viability threshold of 23 to 24 weeks gestation. A complete pregnancy typically spans between 37 and 42 weeks.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted fluctuations in birth rates during the pandemic but noted a general increase in premature and early births.

Upon discovering her CSEP pregnancy at five weeks, Ms. Gooding sought second opinions from four different doctors, all of whom urged her to terminate the pregnancy. One even suggested her husband, Matt, persuade her against continuing.

However, Ms. Gooding persisted and eventually found a doctor willing to support her decision to carry the pregnancy to term.

Dr. Veronica Gillispie, an obstetrician based in New Orleans who hasn’t treated Ms. Gooding, previously commented, “The Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine advises against continuing such pregnancies due to the associated risks. Nevertheless, I advocate for patient autonomy. If she is fully informed of the risks and benefits and understands them, she has the right to proceed.”

She further emphasized the importance of the care team being prepared for any complications that may arise during the pregnancy and for the timing of delivery.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Ms. Gooding for further comments.