Conjoined Twins Alyssa Priem, Alyson Robertson, Ashley Stewart, Lauren Highum

What are conjoined twins? Identical twins that develop with a single placenta from a single fertilized oocyte Scientists are unsure of exactly how identical twins fail to separate (around the 13 th day) and therefore become conjoined twins. Believed to be influenced by genetic and environmental factors Are more often female than male at a ratio of 3:1

Types of Conjoined Twins Conjoined twins are classified by how they are connected to one another Each case is different and even if 2 sets of twins share the same conjoined surface each set of conjoined twins has a unique internal structure

What if… ? You find out you (or your spouse) are pregnant with conjoined twins…. Do you…. Have an abortion? or Take the pregnancy to term?

Abort the pregnancy… Think of all the surgeries they will need to have later on…prevent their pain They would always be made fun of Would never be “Normal” children Not fair to the children There would be extremely high medical costs after they were born

When choosing to go through with the pregnancy… Morally against abortion: “I don’t think I could ever kill a child whether born or unborn, it’s a living thing and it deserves a chance too” They are your children and you will love them no matter what They at least deserve a chance at survival and a happy life

Once the twins are born Do you choose to separate them?  No… They don’t have privacy, and probably would have a hard time finding a job Relationship issues Will you be treated as one person instead of two In some cases they’re healthier together Have to learn to get along and adjust to the world in their circumstance Some feel that they were meant to be this way What if one gets sick and possibly dies do you separate them to save the other?

Once the Twins are born… Do you choose to separate them?  Yes… Must find a doctor who is willing to operate on two healthy individuals potentially harming them further One could die, both could die or the operation could be a success How do you decide who gets what organs, limbs, etc.? Complications from the surgery Many surgeries to follow Could go on to lead normal lives if operation is successful They would have more privacy Free to have a relationships of their own

If separated…. One of the twins dies during or soon after surgery  The living twin may feel guilt later in life  Wake up from surgery and realize your other half isn’t there other psychological issues  Psychological problems for parents leaving hospital with only one child

If separated… Both twins could die from complications to the surgery  Sometimes there is one twin that has a greater chance of survival Still, they both may die in the end How do you decide which one gets to live?

If separated… Both twins survive the separation  Unlikely that both will be completely healthy and happy One may be fine while other has major complications oDid the twins want to be separated? oVery strong want to be together even after separation - Often hard adjusting to being two separate bodies *If you go through with the separation surgery you must be willing to accept any of these possible outcomes*