More than 24 doctors and nurses at the University of Michigan successfully separated 1-year-old conjoined twin sisters who were born embracing each other.
Amelia and Sarabeth Irwin from Michigan each had their own legs, arms, and heart but their livers were connected.
After the 11-hour long surgery to separate the beautiful princesses 14 months after they were born, the family are now back home.
Dr. George Mychaliska, who led the team, said: “For everyone in the room, it was a very emotional and extraordinary moment when the last incision was made to separate these girls from one to two.”
“I’m a father of twins and know twins are very close,” Mychaliska added. “Sarabeth and Amelia will always share a really unique bond, and I think the future is bright for both of them.”
The twins’ parents, Alyson and Phil Irwin, said they learned about their conjoined twins four months before birth.
“It kind of felt like the worst news you could receive, you know?” Alyson said to the Detroit Free Press. “Especially because the statistics are not good.”
Alyson also said that her prenatal team had “never seen anything like that before. So they said their hearts were breaking for us … but there wasn’t anything they could do.”
Speaking about the moment their girls were born, Alyson said: “I remember them briefly putting the girls on my chest. It was very sweet and special being able to hold them and see them for the first time.”
More than 24 doctors and nurses were involved in the surgery to separate the twins.
Phil and Alyson were not allowed into the hospital because of coronavirus restrictions and spent the entire surgery time waiting outside the building.
“This has been a giant experiment in the power of positive and the power of prayer,” Phil expressed. “You know, so positive news, people need that. People live on that.”
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Replaced!