Imagine the elation of finding out you’re expecting twins, only to discover down the road that they are monoamniotic, or “Momo” and only have a 50-70% chance of surviving.
This nightmare was reality for one mother, Kate, and her spouse as they found out that since their babies did not have individual sacs protecting them, there would be nothing between them in the womb and their umbilical cords could wrap around them posing a threat to both of them.
The pregnancy was rough on Kate. First the bad news, then a hospital stay that began at 28 weeks for monitoring followed by a caesarean at 32 weeks. Although doctors had told her she would most likely miscarry, the babies were delivered successfully.
Their cords were fully intertwined into a braid and even a knot in one place, but the little ones still survived the trauma. Kate and her husband had never given up hope, and although their relationship was tested by the rough road of this pregnancy, in the end everyone came out stronger and the girls are now happy, healthy, and 8 years old. Harper and Cleo are very close, even for twins, perhaps because of that closeness they shared in the womb as “Momo” babies.