'Miracle' baby survives heart surgery, defying the odds for a second time

Baby Phoenix has defied the odds for a second time in her short life so far.

The one-year-old from Maryland in the US celebrated her first birthday in August but it was a birthday her family never thought they would see.

Phoenix was born with a heart defect called double outlet right ventricle, which means her heart can't properly circulate oxygen around her body.

To save her life, doctors performed two of four palliative surgeries she needs and put a shunt in her heart when she was 2 months old.

As a result of the detrimental heart condition, she was left on life support.

But them in April, doctors were left surprised when they took her off life support and she survived.

"We have to celebrate this milestone," her mum Monique Goldring said.

Now, the little girl has defied doctor's expectations again.

Phoenix needed heart surgery because she would outgrow the shunt in her heart.

Doctors around the country said they would not perform the procedure because they feared she would not survive it.

"Desperately hoping that somebody will be willing to look at her case and perform this surgery on her."

And yet, another miracle would be on the way for baby Phoenix.

Her mother sharing the incredible update that doctors decided to do the surgery — and it was a success.

"Words can't express how grateful I am for Children's National Hospital," Ms Goldring said.

"They stepped up and saved my daughter's life. Thank you so much to ABC7 for airing our story months ago. We couldn't have done it without you all.

"I am the happiest mother on the face of this earth."

A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for the baby's medical bills.