After welcoming two healthy babies into their family, Tim and Shaneka were over the moon to learn years later that they were pregnant with twins, which run in Shaneka’s family. But additional unexpected news followed that the twins were conjoined. Unsure what to do next, Tim and Shaneka went to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a second opinion. After extensive testing, specialists offered good news and hope: Shaneka’s team was confident that the twins could not only be carried and delivered safely. but were also excellent candidates for separation surgery in the future.
Preparing for delivery
Maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Nahla Khalek worked with genetic counselors, radiologists, neonatologists, psychologists, surgeons, nurses and other members of the Center’s comprehensive team to carefully monitor Shaneka’s pregnancy. They worked through a well laid-out strategy for managing the pregnancy, and planning for a scheduled cesarean delivery. The twins, Amari and Javar, were born 10 weeks early and needed specialized care in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit.
Holistic care for the whole family
After the birth of the twins, Shaneka experienced post partum depression. Thanks to the psychosocial support at CHOP, her physical, mental and emotional wellness were all addressed during her care. And it wasn’t only available for Shaneka; from the moment families receive their fetal diagnosis, the psychosocial team members provide compassionate, individualized care for the entire family.
Nearly 11 months later, the boys were ready for the 8-hour-long separation surgery. The team of specialists had been preparing for that day since Amari and Javar were born. The carefully laid out procedure went according to plan and they boys were laid in their separate cribs in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
A bright future
Today, the family is all doing well. Amari and Javar are working with occupational, physical, music and play therapists, plus a speech therapist who helps with feeding. Shaneka and Tim are getting comfortable with caring for the boys as they continue to heal and learn to do things like flip over, lie on their stomachs, and crawl. Everyone is excited to get the news that Amari and Javar can join them at home.
