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Woman is expecting twins with one body
Ellen Widdup12.01.09
A WOMAN pregnant with Siamese twins with two heads and one body has spoken of her decision to keep them.
Lisa Chamberlain was told she was expecting the rare dicephalous twins during an emergency hospital scan after she started to suffer mysterious back pains nine weeks into her pregnancy.
Doctors, who could only find one heartbeat, urged the 25-year-old and her fiancé Mike Pedace to consider an abortion and warned them that the babies had a 20 per cent chance of survival but they refused to terminate the pregnancy, which followed years of trying for a child. Today, the mother-to-be, from Portsmouth, who was 18 when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, a condition which can affect fertility, said the twins were "a gift from God".
"Some might think my twins are strange, but to me they're just special," she said. "Everything happens for a reason. Mike and I have spent over seven years trying to have children and we might not get another go."
The twins are likely to be born at London's University College Hospital, which has a team of obstetric consultants who specialise in complicated births. Siamese twins Faith and Hope Williams, who died last month after surgery to separate them, were born at the hospital.
If Miss Chamberlain's babies survive the birth, they will make British medical history as the country's only living dicephalous twins.
The former RSPCA worker said: "Over the years I've been for so many tests and check-ups I'd virtually given up hope. I feel blessed. To me, my twins are a gift from God and we're determined to give them their chance of life."
Doctors at Portsmouth's St Mary's Hospital, where Miss Chamberlain had her scan, have told the couple that the twins may not survive the pregnancy.
But Miss Chamberlain and Mr Pedace, 32, a Roman Catholic, hope their babies will follow the example of 18-year-old American dicephalous twins Abigail and Brittany Hensel, who share a body but lead a full life.
"The fact Abigail and Brittany in America live a full and happy life fills me with hope for my babies," said Miss Chamberlain. "I've even given the twins names - Layla and Kelsey - because I think they're going to be little girls. I've been told that 75 per cent of Siamese twins are."
Mr Pedace, who has been with Miss Chamberlain for eight years, said: "We know it's going to be very tough but we're prepared for that as much as we can be. We've struggled for so long for the chance to have children. Now we've got that chance, we're not going to throw it away."
Miss Chamberlain will have to wait until her 20-week scan to find out how many organs her conjoined twins share.
Reader views (40)
Who says that these twins won't live decent lives? Do you know where the term Siamese twins came from? It was from the first pair of conjoined twins to survive. They were from Siam. Both brothers got married and lived full lives. Mind you, they were only joined at the hip, but the point stands.
As for the mother engaging in sex out of wedlock, I agree. What's she waiting for? She's already found the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Just marry the guy now!
- Andrew, Ann Arbor, MI
Good for them! I find it odd that those who favor 'choice' do not what them to have their choice. What a shameful filter to view life from!
God bless them and may their tribe increase!!
- Scott, MN, USA
Its not anyone's choice but the parents. I am sure they have a little bit of an idea how difficult it will be. Have any of you ever seen Brittany and Abigail? Those girls are absolutly amazing. Search for their story online. I give credit to these parents for wanting to forgo the challenge
- M.Ruhlin, Maine, USA
Yes, it is a gift from God. I will pray for them and the twins. May God bless and strengthen them!
- Teresa West, Orangevale, USA
I think the choice these 2 people are making for their offspring is seriously inhumane. Who would want to bring anyone into this world just to have to suffer. The poor baby(s) would definitely have a hard go of life from the very beginning. I feel these 2 are very selfish and not thinking clearly at all!
- Kimberly, Texas
I think the law should be changed to stop these births from going ahead.
- Tim L, Carshalton
What kind of parents will they be, who even before the birth are putting their own feelings before the welfare of the offspring? Children are not automatic right and I think this lady needs to realise maybe she is one who was not meant to have them. If she is only 25 she has so many years to try again or to adopt.
- Margaret Salafrio, St John's Wood
As a mother who has undergone both a stillbirth and a miscarriage, it angers me that people are encouraging abortion. I would welcome a child with a disability, even if it was for a short time on this earth, because every life is especially precious to me.
- Sarah Carr, New York, USA
Cuddly Duddly, I completely agree with you. Our US cousins seem to think in terms of rainbows and fairys (let alone pro choice), instead of the reality of life.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK
Cuddly Duddly of Cuffley - You have hit the nail on the head. Some of the comments from the American readers are truly backward, if not downright insane. Also, if the woman in question has PCOs and was trying to get pregnant that long then she will have been offered medical intervention (e.g. uterine drilling, hormone therapy) to get pregnant and if she was so desperate to conceive, does anyone believe she wouldn't have taken such help? I'm not suggesting that taking such help is wrong in any way but it does remove the whole Gift from God angle of the argument. It's more likely a Gift from the NHS or a Gift from Some Private Medical Package. Whatever, it's still wrong and should not be allowed.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
She can't be that devout a Catholic as the sex before marriage bit has obviously been ignored! How long before Max Clifford is introduced into the story? And the children are going to have problems enough without being saddled with soppy names ... I can't find a St Layla or a St Kelsey anywhere!
- Paul, London
Ask a mother who was childless for 10 years, how it feels to have a baby ! Indeed it is God's Gift and His love will protect Miss Lisa along with twins. Dear Lisa, u have said ""We know it's going to be very tough but we're prepared for that as much as we can be. We've struggled for so long for the chance to have children. Now we've got that chance, we're not going to throw it away." Unquote: with total faith and Hope leave it to GOD and HE will take care of it. Wilma - Dubai-UAE
- Wilma Daniel, Dubai - Uunited Arab Emirates
Knowing that children like these are able to live full lives,it should be obvious to give our love and support to the expectant couple.Those that want to kill these children because they might have some difficulties in life need to reflect, if we kill all the children who have it bad you could exterminate millions.seems like someone did that once.
- Pat, chocowinity USA
Yes, how *selfless* it is of people to have their children ripped apart limb from limb in the womb in order to spare them from living with a disability!
Those of you who think the parents are selfish, 1) have no idea what it's like to struggle with fertility and 2) are incapable of seeing children as a gift...even if they have defects. I wonder how your own children would feel if you told them you would have aborted them had they not been perfectly healthy. Go and tell them sometime that if they're ever disabled, you'll make sure they're killed because their quality of life won't be up to your standard.
These parents are doing this because of their beliefs and - as others have said - wasn't abortion about giving women a right to CHOOSE? Obviously, the right to choose has now become an obligation to choose abortion when a child isn't perfect.
They are not selfish; they are doing what is absolutely the most selfless thing a parent can do: give their child life.
- Amy P., Milwaukee, WI USA
Wow, what an eye opener! The Europeans commenting here seem to be able to judge whether another human being's life is going to be worth living or not. Yet, those commenting from North America seem to feel it should be up to the person living his life to decide what his quality of life is.
Whoa, I'm sure glad I live in America! God bless America!
- Vickie, USA
Good for you keeping the babies. Being different is a gift to all. What beautiful variety God expresses in! Heck, Einstein was different too. Michelangelo certainly wasn't like everyone else. Be well!
- Wendy, Atlanta, GA
I too have PCOS so I can relate to her wanting to keep the twins no matter what the outcome. Brittany and Abigail's mom didn't abort them when she was pregnant. It's a living being and deserves a chance even if they aren't perfect. The medical community has NO right to tell parents to abort their child because it has some birth defect found during a routine exam. I'm glad that the Mom's keeping them vs getting them sucked down the drain. I hope she makes it to full term with her girls and that they girls live a long life.
- Jlalb, USA
A Roman Catholic woman using her faith as a reason not to terminate a pregnancy has been actively trying to get pregnant out of wedlock. Am I the only one who sees the irony in this?
- Cj, Dallas, TX, USA
The Hensel twins are vibrant, beautiful girls and I hope and pray that these little girls will thrive as the Hensel girls have.
- Christina, Johnstown, PA, USA
It is interesting to contemplate the fact that most of the comments saying they should keep the babies come from a country which is mired in outdated religion and the other comments come from a society which has a healthier secular persuasion.
- Cuddly Duddly, Cuffley, UK
I am a mother of a child with PCOS and I'm sorry but I would have to tell her just how very selfish she is given the same circumstances. Religion aside...do you really want these children to grow up in a world where they may never be accepted... and what kind of real life will they ever have. Never to get married and raise a family of their own... medical problems and the possiblity of an early death. Even with PCOS the possibilities are immense for another pregnancy.
- Mother Of Pcos Daughter, Fairfax Vermont USA
I wish the parents nothing but the best. There may be only a 20% survival chance but if they aborted them there would be no chance. If,God forbid,the twins dont make it at least they will know they did everything they could.
- Melissa, Kentucky,USA
Every child is special, this is their decision, not the medical communities. Good for them.
- Mother, South Carolina, USA
The couple is correct in going through the pregnancy. The twins are living beings. They have the right to live. It has been proven the even in the womb, an infant feels eexcruciating pain during an abortion. In no way would it be human to kill them before they are born.
- David, Syracuse, NY USA
Its a decision I wouldn't want to have to make!
Religion being used to justify it? Religion is a reflection of very human personal moral codes whether there really is a God/heaven/whatever or not. Its a perfectly reasonable perspective, given the weightiness of the circumstances. There will be sacrifices, but hopefully a minimum of suffering involved for all concerned.
- Rogan, Irving
I say let Mum decide, no one else.
- Moose Poop, Sacramento, California
If any of you had seen the TLC programs of the dicephalous twins in the US, you would know that the girls have a wonderful life. They are now finishing high school with honours marks, play team sports and drive a car! They have many friends who accept them for themselves. The same is possible with these twins. I know many children who have been born with birth defects. Yes, their lives are more difficult than one would like and wish they were not born with their problems. None has ever said that they wish they hadn't been born. Give these babies and their parents a chance!
- Phyllis, Canada
You never know what kind of life those girls would have. whats wrong is you all trying to condem them and not give them a chance. thats disgraceful and obviously you have never been faced with the problems this woman has had. she will love those girls more because they are her miracles.
- Janessa, Picton, Ontario
This decision is a personal one for the parents to make. Has a right to abortion now become an obligation to do so? Why do so many believe they can insist someone have an abortion if the fetus isn't "perfect"? Isn't the whole argument a belief that the woman has a choice? This is not my deciion to make nor is it appropriate for anyone to tell them what they "should" or "should not" do.
- Gww, Durham, NC, USA
It takes courage to take this type of pregnancy on. I believe Life magazine referred to the Hensel twins as "two souls, one body".
We cannot assume that because they are different, these twins will have a poor quality/welfare of life. The Hensel twins have a high quality of life - the ability to be live active lives, have friends, drive, work - who is to say these twins won't be the same?
Put away religion here for a minute - there is a chance these twins will live happy lives, normal as they know it. The fact these parents are willing to take on the responsibility of raising them tells me they have a lot of courage and fortitude.
Add the religion back in and I say they have plain and simple faith.
One body, two souls.
What a fantastic description.
- Kim, Hayward, California, USA
Since when did it become our decision whether people live or die? I know, I know, they are "just fetuses," but under the law, if they are wanted, they are people. At least they will have a chance at life, and not be burned, or sucked limb from limb, and discarded like so much trash before they even get to take a breath. Selfishness?? More like selflessness. To take care of babies that will very likely require a lot of extra care for the sake of giving them a chance does not sound like a picnic to me.
- Sarah, Paxon, US
May God bless you for thinking about your children before your self. You are right those children were given to you for a reason and who are we to question God's reasons or his purpose.
- Marie, Enterprise, US
Claire.London, O get real.
- Kev, London-UK
This is not humane, it is a case of hormones being put before commonsense. If it were a 4-legged pet the vets would insist it be put to sleep and if the owner stopped it there would be an outcry with the RSPCA involved. As for the comment from Claire - why don't you try binding yourself to another person for 24 hours and see how much quality of life you enjoy!
- Rose, Tooting
How do you know they'll have poor quality of life, who are you to judge? An example is actually cited in the article of dicephalous twins in America who live a full life.
- Claire, London
I cant believe how selfish these people are,putting there own beliefs(and catholicism is only a belief)before the welfare and quality of life of a human being.
- Kev, London-UK
Lisa should have learned from the very sad experience of the Welsh couple, who recently lost both their children,
that a decision like hers is selfish and almost certainly the wrong one
- Keith Price, Luton, England
My point exactly, what quality of life are they going to have?
- Emma, UK
What a selfish couple.
- Casper Slides, France at the moment
Sounds like the height of selfishness, putting their own desire for children before the quality of life of the children.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
