Conjoined twins had a limited chance of survival, according to doctors, but now that they’re apart, they’re experiencing life to the fullest. Wolfson Children’s Hospital is responsible for Michelle and Bryan Mirabal’s happiness. Their conjoined twins were not only born alive, but they were also successfully separated. Their parents are pleased that their formerly conjoined twins have graduated from kindergarten.
After the birth of their first child, Gage, the couple was astonished to hear Michelle was pregnant. They were even more startled when the doctor told them they were expecting conjoined twins. The pair were concerned about the future and prepared for the worst. Doctors believe that conjoined twins have a poor probability of surviving because this is an extremely rare event. Many individuals also convinced them that abortion was the more compassionate option.
“What we’re hearing is different. Many people advised us to terminate the pregnancy. “There were people telling us we shouldn’t do this,” Michelle said. Despite the negative feedback and peer pressure, the couple chose to give the twins a chance at life. Michelle was also at risk of miscarriage, but this didn’t stop them. They clung to their little hope of life, hoping that their children would survive and experience the world’s wonders.
On December 12, 2014, the couple’s most anticipated day arrived. Michelle Mirabal gave birth to twins Conner and Carter Mirabal safely, but they had to be separated in the NICU for a few months. Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville performed surgery on the twins. In a 15-hour procedure, the physicians successfully separated the omphalopagus twins, the most frequent type of conjoined twins.
The parents expressed gratitude to the Wolfson Children’s Hospital personnel for their constant support for their twins. Following their separation procedure, the twins underwent a series of bowel surgeries, including time on a feeding tube and a ventilator for each. They were ultimately allowed to return home after a year. “We are fortunate to be going through it because this does not happen to everyone, and they are miracle babies,” she said.
The twins have grown and thrived exactly like any other youngster since then. They began preschool in the fall of last year and underwent back surgery earlier this year. Michelle and Bryan are delighted with how things worked out for their family, despite a jumble of happy and tragic occurrences for their twins. They continue to post updates about their twins’ progress on social media. Carter and Conner just graduated from preschool, which was wonderful news for the entire family.
“In their short lives, these two have accomplished and been through so much,” the couple wrote on Facebook. “Between being conjoined at birth and having a 15-hour separation surgery. They were poked, prodded, and kept in the hospital for over a year.
Therapies, doctors, and even more surgeries. G-tubes, feeding tubes, learning to eat, walk, and talk, and now they’re here!! Graduating from pre-k, something doctors weren’t sure they’d be able to do! We couldn’t be happier for Conner and Carter!” Of course, all of the twins’ achievements were made possible by their parents, who never gave up on them and continue to fight for their precious lives.