A baby boy was born in an extremely rare and unusual birth when he came out still inside an amniotic sac and weighing one kilo less than his twin.
The infant, named Emanuel, was born to mum Dayane Bogoni amidst puzzled medical staff at a hospital in Florianopolis, Brazil, on 12th June.
It came after Dayane had to spend a week in the hospital after her obstetrician noticed she had high blood pressure during a routine check-up on 7th June.
The high blood pressure meant she was at risk of developing pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that can result in either the mother’s or the babies’ death.
More concerns arose during further exams when an ultrasound revealed the boys were of different sizes.
Dayane then had to be rushed for an emergency cesarean or the smaller baby might not have survived.
She said she was overwhelmed with fear but was supported and guided by the professionals.
She recalled: “The doctors acted quickly to control the pressure and did everything to keep me calm.
“I will never forget what Dr Claudio Canabarro did for me. During my nervousness, he held my hand and said, ‘Stay calm, I’m with you.’
“Later, I asked if I could put on lipstick to welcome my children, and he replied, ‘Of course.’ That meant everything to me.”
Emanuel was only 1.2 kilogrammes (2.6 lbs) and 36 centimetres (14.1 inches). His twin, named Daniel, weighed two kilogrammes (4.4 lbs) and measured 41.5 centimetres (16.3 inches).
Because they were born prematurely, they will remain in hospital until they reach their ideal size and lung maturity.
Mum Dayane, who has been married to her husband Erico Martins for 17 years, says he has been very supportive of her.
She said: “My husband is very positive about everything. Everything happened in God’s time.
“We are blessed to have received quality care and for our boys, despite being born early, to be doing well as much as possible.
“Our expectations are as positive as they can be [for them to come home], but we respect their timing.”
Dr Claudio Canabarro, who oversaw Dayane’s delivery, noted that cases of twins like Daniel and Emanuel are very unusual.
Aside from one of them being born much larger than the other, Emanuel was also born in the amniotic sac, which occurs once every 80,000 births.
The doctor explained that the different sizes likely resulted from the mother’s high blood pressure. And having shared the same placenta, one twin had been receiving less nutrients than the other, he added.
According to the doctor, both boys are breathing on their own and progressing well each day.
In a few weeks, they leave the hospital and join their older brother, Davi, at home.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Simona Kitanovska, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
