From Bexleyheath in Kent, Rosie and Ruby Formosa shared an intestine and were linked at the abdomen at birth. This implied that they would require an urgent surgical procedure to survive. Their parents were informed that the girls’ chances of survival were very low, and it appeared unthinkable to separate them.
Aside from the knowledge that the odds were stacked against them, the family hoped and prayed for a miracle. Luckily, the sisters were successfully separated after a very difficult procedure performed at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London (Gosh).
The girls’ mother, Angela, recalled the moment they found out the infants she carried were conjoined: “They sent me to King’s College Hospital at 16 weeks, and that’s where they found out the connection between the girls.”
It was quite tragic; I had already begun to worry that they might be conjoined, which would have been the worst case situation if they were monoamniotic, or twins sharing an amniotic sac.
“I was told there was a high chance the girls wouldn’t survive the pregnancy at that point, so I was really, really, really scared and upset.”
Even if they made it through the pregnancy, there’s a chance they won’t make it through the delivery or the surgery. They were unable to determine what linked them.
“I didn’t get ready to take them home. My spouse didn’t begin painting the bedroom or preparing everything for them until after they had their surgery and were in the hospital.
Rosie and Ruby went to school four years after the successful surgery. According to their happy mother, the kids were “very excited” to be going to school, much like their older sister Lilly, and had already met their teacher.
The parents acknowledge that while they are thrilled that their kids are in school, the house would be empty without them.
We are overjoyed that everything worked out well for these stunning girls. Then, all we want is the best life has to offer.
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