Separated for More Than 200 Days After Birth, Twin Girls Finally Reunited

A pair of identical twins were reported to have spent more than 200 days apart after birth, but their reunion photo proved that not even time could break their heartwarming sisterly bond.

Cora and Miller McCoy were born in February at just 30 weeks. They were diagnosed with Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence, a condition more commonly known as TAPS — a form of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome or TTTS — and Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction or SIUGR. They were treated at the NICU and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's (CHOA) Heart Center. However, that meant the twins being separated for more than usual — that is a reported duration of over 200 days.

According to Children's Minnesota, Twin-to-Twin Syndrome is a condition in which two or more genetically identical babies share the same placenta. TTTS develops in about 10 to 15 percent of such pregnancies.

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On the other hand, John Hopkins Medicine defines Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction as a condition that occurs in some identical twin pregnancies known as monochorionic. This means that the twins used to share a placenta and a network of blood vessels. However, the placenta is not evenly apportioned as it should have been, resulting in one of the twins becoming malnourished because of this.

The girls are finally reunited

The twins, however, were finally reunited after seven months of being separated after birth. In a heartwarming photo captured by CHOA, the girls could be seen locking eyes and holding onto each other's hands.

"Born at 30 weeks, identical twins Cora and Miller know a thing or two about strength," the Children's Healthcare of ATL wrote on Instagram. "Between stays in the NICU and our Heart Center, the sisters hadn't seen each other for more than 200 days. When they finally reunited in our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, their instinctive hand hold left nary a dry eye in the room."

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Their mother, Lindsey McCoy, said that it was the first time that the twin girls had really seen each other since they were born. It was also the first time that all four of them were in the same room since the twins were just three weeks old. She said her heart was bursting.

 

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A post shared by Children's Healthcare of ATL (@childrensatl) on Nov 1, 2020 at 6:47am PST

According to Southern Living, Cora was born weighing 3 lbs., 9 oz. She then spent 40 days in the NICU. Meanwhile, Miller, who surprisingly weighed only 15 oz., was moved to the Children's Healthcare of Atlant Scottish Rite NICU and underwent a heart procedure.

Miller remains in the NICU to regain her strength, but her parents are hopeful that it will not take long until the girls have their permanent reunion at home.

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