Conjoined twins how does it work

This type is called craniopagus pronounced kray-nee-OP-uh-gus. In most cases, doctors see that twins are conjoined during a routine ultrasound late in the first trimester of pregnancy or in the second trimester.

We explain what the images show and which structures your twins may share. Some parents continue their pregnancy. Others decide to end their pregnancy. This helps you and your healthcare team prepare for the diagnostic tests and treatments the twins will need once they are born. This is because a vaginal birth is too hard for the mother and babies. We recommend delivery of your baby at the University of Washington by obstetricians who are experienced with high-risk pregnancies.

This will help you and the healthcare team decide how to care for the twins. Our NICU provides the highest level of care, including state-of-the-art support for breathing. Treatment for each set of twins is unique. The team uses this information to create a detailed treatment plan. Our goal is to give both children the best chance for a good quality of life, whenever possible.

Whether to do surgery to separate your twins depends on their chance of survival and quality of life for each baby. Sometimes separation surgery is not possible for a variety of reasons, so staying connected is the only real option.

Usually, twins have separation surgery in the first 3 months to 12 months of life. They will help you consider which option is best for your twins. As we plan and prepare for surgery, your twins will get care from many different types of experts.

They will work together to plan the steps and timing of the surgery and the care your children will need before and after. One doctor will oversee the team and coordinate all parts of the plan. In most cases, doctors will do the separation surgery after your twins are at least 3 months old. This allows time for:. In some cases, conjoined twins need to be separated before they are 3 months old because of a health emergency or a problem that cannot wait.

Two complete teams work together very closely to separate twins. Each team includes surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. Whether they stay connected or are separated, your twins will need long-term follow-up visits during childhood and into their early adult years. We care for any long-term medical issues they might have.

Follow-up care will depend on the type of conjoined twins they are and other health issues they may have. If you have questions about prenatal diagnosis or treatment options for conjoined twins, call our Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment Program at Providers: see how to refer a patient. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.

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If you have a referral, call to schedule an appointment. How to schedule If this is a medical emergency, call Meet the Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment team. The twins know each other so well that they often say the same things or finish each other's sentences, and are supportive and understanding of the other in all aspects of life. With two sets of lungs, two hearts, two stomachs, one liver, one large intestine and one reproductive system, they have learned from a young age to co-ordinate their body, with Abby controlling the right hand side and Brittany the left.

There is a difference in height and at 5ft 2in 1. As their two legs are different lengths, Brittany has to stand on tip toe, on her leg, to ensure they maintain their balance. They have had to learn to reach compromises on everything from what food they eat to their social life and even the clothes they wear. While Abby is seen as the "outspoken" sister and will always win the argument about what they are going to wear, Brittany says her twin is also much more of a "homebody," whereas she prefers going out.

There are other differences too. Brittany is scared of heights, whereas Abby is not. Abby is interested in maths and science, while Brittany prefers the arts. They also respond differently to coffee.

After a few cups Brittany's heart rate increases, but Abby is not affected. Despite having a normal family and social life, studying and working like any other young women, they do face some additional problems. For example, they have to put up with speculation about their private life - something they prefer not to discuss. The twins deny a rumour that Brittany has become engaged, describing it as a "dumb joke". Travelling to a new country with friends on holiday is also not as straightforward for conjoined twins.

They have two passports, but one ticket as they only take up one seat on the aeroplane. Sex is often mentioned by commentators on conjoinment as one of the beautiful things supposedly made instantaneously horrible by being conjoined.

Surgeons sometimes openly allude to sexuality as a motivator for separation surgery. Believe it or not, surgeons have done this: Separated toddler twin boys and made one a girl because there was only one penis to go around. These children were essentially two people on top and one on the bottom.

In fact, this has been done in two cases. Yes, this was considered better than leaving the children alone. So I suppose I should get to what the people really want to know: What do conjoined twins feel when they have sex? If one is sexually stimulated, does the other feel it? If one has an orgasm, does the other enjoy the same, however unwittingly?