Having twins is a beautiful gift. Not many people get to experience such joy in their lives. In fact, the odds are pretty low for having twins. But, it’s even lower for mono-mono pregnancies (Monoamniotic-Monochorionic twins).
Mono-mono pregnancies are considered high-risk and occur only once in every 10,000 births. They happen when the twins share the same placenta and amniotic sac. These types of pregnancies are considered high-risk because of the complications that can arise. For example, the placenta could become compressed, resulting in limited nutrients for one of the twins. One interesting fact about mono-mono twins is that they are always identical, and always the same sex. The reason for this is that they derive from the same gene set.
Jenna and Jillian Thistlethwaite are identical twins born from a mono-mono pregnancy.
Their mother, Sarah, believes they are truly special kids who share a unique connection. In fact, in 2014, the two girls were born holding hands after a c-section delivery.
It was one of the most beautiful moments any of the hospital staff had ever seen.
Read: Newborn twins don’t realize they’ve been born, refuse to stop cuddling like they did in the womb
Twins Born Holding Hands
The very first thing the twins did after being delivered was hold each other’s hands. It was a moving moment and everyone in the room was touched by the emotional display.
“I was just amazed, because they’re mono mono twins they’re touching all the time. I didn’t think they would come out and instantly holding hands,” Sarah Thistlethwaite told ABC News. “It was as if they were saying, ‘We’ve got this,'” Thistlethwaite said in a post on the hospital website. “‘We’re going to be okay. We’ve got each other.'”
ABC NEWS
The twins were born prematurely at 33 weeks during a planned cesarean section. According to experts, most monoamniotic twins are delivered between 32 and 34 weeks, because if they get too large it can become easy for them to get tangled in each other’s umbilical cords leading to oxygen deprivation.
ABC NEWS
Read: Mom-to-be conceives a third baby — while pregnant with twins
Update:
The twins turned 7-years-old this year. According to their mom, Sarah, the girls haven’t been any different since they were born. They still play together and hold hands. Sometimes, they even share a bed at night, even though they have their own rooms.
The girls still hold hands often and their closeness is on display in other ways. Several times a week, Bill and Sarah will wake up and find them sleeping in the same bed event though they have separate beds.
“They are just so close and they just want to be around each other,” Sarah Thistlethwaite said.
NEWS 5
“How can they not be destined for something great? I just look forward to continuing to see them grow and see what they can do,” Sarah Thistlethwaite said.
NEWS 5
What a beautiful story about spreading happiness and smiles to the world! We hope the Thistlewait family has a wonderful and happy holiday season!
Keep Reading: ‘A Miracle Baby’: The Black Couple Who Gave Birth to a Blond, Blue-Eyed Child
Sources
- “Rare Twins, Who Held Hands After Delivery, Set to Go Home in Time for Father’s Day.” ABC NEWS. Gillian Mohney. May 11, 2014.
- “Rare ‘mono mono’ identical twins born holding hands turning 7 years old on Mother’s Day.” NEWS 5. Bob Jones. May 4, 2021