Mono-mono twin girls pull through!

by Anita & Leslie
(Las Vegas)

My twin baby girls were born at 31 weeks 6 days. My husband, Leslie and I were prepared to have premature babies since 12 weeks along. Our twins were confirmed monoamniotic-monochorionic at that time and our doctor informed us that they could not stay inside past 34 weeks.

We also were given a diagnosis at 17 weeks along. One of our identical twins had her heart on the right side of her body and she only developed one lung. We had no clue what to expect or how to feel or deal with what was just told to us. We met with a pediatric surgeon and a neonatologist to aid us in discussing the "what if's" of our situation. Being born premature, the one important thing that affects babies is lung maturity, so obviously only having one was a huge concern.

I went in-patient at 24 weeks and at 31 weeks 6 days, baby A, Lela, started to accumulate fluid around her heart and I was sent to the OR. Sonia was born 1st weighing 3 lbs 8 oz and Lela 2nd at 3 lbs 2oz. Both came out screaming!

Having many ups and downs while in the ICU, Sonia came home after 4 1/2 weeks in the ICU and our little miracle stayed for 6 1/2 weeks. She was determined from the start to make her presence known and boy did she ever. She would rip her ventilator tubes out almost daily and she caused much trauma to her esophagus because of this.

Leslie and I are thankful to the doctors. If it was not for the amazing advancements that are made everyday to fight for such small and helpless babies, our girls would not be here today.

Lela went through major surgery this year and was placed on the lung bypass machine during it. She pulled through tremendously. She is like a new little girl since her surgery. I thank the medical staff at Children's Hospital for saving her life and performing a surgery on her very rare anatomy.

On their first birthday, I could not believe how much we have gone through in such a short time. Thank you doctors for giving and helping premature babies and their families get through these difficult times.

Yours Sincerely, Anita and Leslie, Parents of Olina age 5, Sonia and Lela, 18 months, Las Vegas.