Teenager to have conjoined twins

A British teenager is set to make medical history this week by becoming the youngest mother to give birth to conjoined twins. After defying warnings from doctors that her babies might not live longer than two weeks, Laura Williams, 18, is preparing to give birth to her two daughters, Faith and Hope, by Caesarian section.

Doctors had warned Mrs Williams and her husband Aled, 28, that even if the babies survived beyond a fortnight, the pregnancy could cause complications that might mean she would not be able to have any more children.

Despite the warnings, Mr and Mrs Williams took the difficult decision to proceed with the pregnancy after discovering she was carrying conjoined twins at her 12-week scan.



The teenager, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, said: 'It's scary every day and it's been the hardest decision of our lives, but if they're meant to be in this world and if they've come this far, we've got to hope they'll make it the rest of the way.'

Mrs Williams has been staying in a private ward at the Birmingham Women's Hospital, Edgbaston, for the last month so her babies could be closely monitored and to ensure she had complete rest. She will be transferred by ambulance to a London hospital next week for the delivery.

The babies - who are joined from the breastbone to the top of the navel and have separate hearts - will be moved after the birth to an intensive care unit, where they will be monitored. Doctors will then decide if surgery to separate them is viable. It is not yet clear if the twins share any vital organs. If not, then the chances of survival are much greater.

Full story here with video interview.