Mother Of Conjoined Twins Who Refused An Abortion Shares The Story Of Her Daughters' Birth And Short Life

We live in a culture that excuses abortion in a variety of circumstances. If a woman doesn't feel ready to be a mom, if a woman isn't financially prepared, or if a woman's baby has a birth defect, she is told by friends, medical professionals, and society to just go in for an abortion. After all, it's her body and her "choice." But Nicole LeBlanc decided to carry her conjoined twin daughters to term, despite their low chances of survival, due to their shared heart and other vital organs. A viral tweet announcing her pregnancy in December 2022 revealed the twins' condition and the high risk of miscarriage, soliciting prayers and support.

Nicole LeBlanc Refused To Abort Her Conjoined Twins

LeBlanc's twins, classified as thoracopagus conjoined twins, shared one four-chambered heart, liver, umbilical cord, bowels, and diaphragm. With a survival rate of only 7.5% for conjoined twins and an even lower rate for those sharing organs, LeBlanc's story is truly extraordinary. Despite these odds, LeBlanc refused to abort her children, highlighting her belief in the sanctity of all life.

At her 20-week appointment, doctors informed LeBlanc and her husband, Austin LeBlanc, that the twins could possibly reach up to 35 weeks of gestation. They cannot be separated nor can a heart be transplanted due to the intricacy of their shared anatomy.

This mother's pregnancy journey, marked by anticipation and uncertainty, was a testament to her faith and love for her unborn children. While many expectant mothers anticipate baby showers, she found herself planning a funeral. Nonetheless, she cherished every moment of her pregnancy, celebrating milestones like seeing her babies' heart still working at 28 weeks and feeling their movements.

"My babies are in the safest place possible, and that is within my womb," she told Evie. "I am their mother, and a mother has a responsibility to care for her children and put her babies first. I also believe everyone should have a chance at life because life is so beautiful, despite all the challenges it comes with. Why should I deny them a chance at life? And the fact they are still alive only goes to show that they are fighters. The way they have developed in my womb is all that they know. A constant embrace with their sibling."

Despite facing criticism from those who advocate for abortion in cases of severe birth defects, LeBlanc was steadfast. She hoped to inspire other women carrying babies with life-limiting diagnoses. "We are the pro-life generation," she declared on Twitter.

The hospital where LeBlanc was being treated provides abortions, so the doctors pressed her to consider an abortion; they said continuing the pregnancy could affect her future pregnancies and even pose risks to her uterus long-term. She and her husband were clear that they wanted to give their daughters life, no matter how long that life would be.

Amid this heart-wrenching journey, LeBlanc chose to view her pregnancy as a blessing, ready to embrace the few precious moments she might have with her daughters. Even in the face of potential grief, she was resolute to deliver her twins; their plan was to provide palliative care after birth to ensure their comfort. On May 16, LeBlanc's twins were born. She shares their birth story and details of their very short life with Evie.

Nicole LeBlanc Celebrates the Short Life of Her Conjoined Twins

LeBlanc is a healthy 24-year-old wife with no pre-existing conditions; she never thought she would be pregnant with conjoined twins. In fact, she never even imagined she would have a C-section in order to give birth to her children. She had always planned on delivering her children naturally.

"The original due date was June 2, but due to limited growth restrictions and their shared umbilical cord (not supplying enough blood for the babies) the decision to move up the surgery was advised. The risk for stillbirth in conjoined twins is very high, and we prayed for them to be born alive so they could at least be baptized," she tells Evie.

"They were baptized and confirmed right on my chest."

The surgery went smoothly without any complications, but LeBlanc says she felt "a lot of pressure" when the babies were being removed. "Getting two babies out at the same time, out of the same incision, was mind-boggling to me," she shares.

LeBlanc and her husband are devout Catholics, and it was their hope that their girls would be baptized and confirmed when they were born before passing away. They were born at 32 weeks, so there was a higher chance for the twins to be born alive. LeBlanc named them Maria Therese and Rachel Clare, and they were alive for one hour before passing away in the arms of their father.

"They were baptized and confirmed right on my chest, and my little Maria even cried when she first emerged from my womb and opened her eyes after she was confirmed," LeBlanc says.

"When I heard my daughter cry and saw her eyes open, it was the greatest gift I could have gotten," she continues. "But the greatest blessing was them being alive so they could receive their sacraments. The nurses afterward needed to check for their heartbeat. I asked the nurse after a while if there was a heartbeat, and she apologized and said that there wasn’t. My husband handed my daughters back to me, and I held on to them all the way until I got into my room."

LeBlanc expresses deep gratitude to the hospital staff for allowing her husband, her mother, their priest, and a photographer to be in the operation room with her in order to provide all the support she required. She even made a birth playlist and listened to Gregorian chant in the background.

Because of the incision made for the C-section, LeBlanc is unable to deliver any future children vaginally. The doctor had to perform a classical C-section, which is usually performed in emergencies, when the baby is positioned high in the uterus or is lying sideways, or in certain other situations when a low transverse incision is not feasible. The primary disadvantage of a classical C-section is that it carries a higher risk of uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies and deliveries, and typically, future deliveries will also need to be done through C-section.

"It was not 'my choice' to continue the pregnancy."

"If I were to experience labor, I could rupture my uterus and other complications could arise," LeBlanc explains. "All my future babies would be born between 35-37 weeks and via C-section. Those could be the low transverse C-sections, but still, a major surgery for every baby. My chances of getting pregnant I believe are also decreased since I had a surgery, but I don’t have the exact statistics on that."

LeBlanc insists that it was all worth it, though. She wants everyone to know that her babies were not in pain. All of her medical care providers assured her that they did not suffer. Just because they died within an hour of being born doesn't mean they were suffering.

"It was not 'my choice' to continue the pregnancy," LeBlanc explains. "I did not decide for my babies to be conjoined. The decision was made when my husband and I united ourselves in the marital embrace. Conception occurred as a result of the marital embrace, so any 'decision' was already made."

"The chance for a baby occurs anytime a couple has sex, and the baby (babies) have every right to continue to grow because they are human beings that are vulnerable and need the safety of their mother's womb. Not for it to be their tomb," she adds. "My babies may have been disabled, but they were loved every single minute of their lives and deserved a chance at life because life is worth living!"

Nicole LeBlanc has gained the support of thousands of people online who have been expressing their condolences and encouragement during this difficult time. While LeBlanc has become a champion for unborn life, she has also been physically healing from her surgery and fighting through the uniquely painful grief that comes with losing two precious children. And yet her story has become a beacon of hope for people everywhere. Many are inspired by her strength, faith, and motherly ferocity to protect innocent children.

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