The birth of Siamese twins is considered extremely rare. This happens about once for every 200,000 births.
Unfortunately, such children rarely survive. Up to 50% of such twin babies die before birth, and only 25% are able to survive after birth.
Twins Erin and Abby Delaney were born in 2016. Modern medicine can separate babies if they have their own organs, independent circulatory and nervous systems. Such children will be able to live a full life independently of each other.
These girls were born alive, but their heads have grown together. Doctors have never had such a difficult case.
The separation operation was very risky, but it was a chance for a normal life.
A unique operation was prepared and performed at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
For several months, a huge team of surgeons and medical staff was preparing to carry out the separation. The operation lasted 11 hours. Doctors needed to prevent massive bleeding, separate the babies and make sure that there were no postoperative complications.
It was difficult, but the skill of doctors and medical staff helped to accomplish the impossible! The girls were successfully separated.
«Despite what they had to go through, they are very happy girls,» said their mother Heather Delaney.
The girls were observed in the hospital for five months and only then discharged home. Now they are completely independent babies and are learning to explore the world.
According to Heather, both girls are developing well.
«They are not afraid of people,» she said. «It’s amazing how brave they are after all they’ve experienced.»
The girls had to get used to being apart from each other. They were one and now they were getting used to the new state.
At the age of 2, Erin learned to sit, and Abby learned to roll over. These strong girls overcame the circumstances and began to fight for a new life.
