Separating conjoined twins (Full Version)

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OneOfHisJewels -> Separating conjoined twins (4/17/2008 2:41:57 AM)

Since there is a low rate of both twins surving when separating conjoined twins (at least certain kinds, I know that there are some twins connected in very minor ways that are more easy to separate), is it really right to take that risk? I mean, it's hard to judge the parents, as they are faced with a decision millions of people never have to, but after seeing THIS, it got me thinking.



phosadaud -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/17/2008 11:05:10 AM)

The problem is, that in many of these cases, there is a high risk to keep them together as well. No parent wants to lose their child, so if they came to the decision that separation was the best choice, I have a hard time saying they made the wrong decision.



cow451 -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/17/2008 12:30:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: phosadaud

The problem is, that in many of these cases, there is a high risk to keep them together as well. No parent wants to lose their child, so if they came to the decision that separation was the best choice, I have a hard time saying they made the wrong decision.

Those are shoes I would not want to have to walk a mile in. Therefore, I would support them in their decision.



phosadaud -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/17/2008 1:10:27 PM)

Yep [&o]



Zedd -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 11:49:09 AM)

I don't see how separating conjoined twins could be seen as appropriate in Christian belief. Doesn't God weave every unborn child into existence while they are in the womb? Why undo God's work?



Sideways -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 12:10:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zedd

I don't see how separating conjoined twins could be seen as appropriate in Christian belief. Doesn't God weave every unborn child into existence while they are in the womb? Why undo God's work?


That's just like saying that a child with a heart defect shouldn't have an operation to fix it. We are all born imperfect, this is just a very rare type of imperfection.



PrincessDonna -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 12:15:25 PM)

I hope I never have to make this choice for my own children, but I certainly can't find fault with anyone who chooses to try and separate conjoined twins. What an awful choice to have to make though...[&o]



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 12:32:52 PM)

I can understand making that decision, especially in the case of the girls in that video. There is no way they would have even been able to function being conjoined at the head. While it was, I'm sure, a heart breaking thing to go through it was the best thing in the end.

Would you not want to give your child the possibility of a "normal" life?



Memaw. -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 12:49:08 PM)

I am thankful to God that I never had to make that sort of decision.



quote:

Would you not want to give your child the possibility of a "normal" life?


This statement sort of bothers me.

To me, it is stating that the only way for the children the OP addresses to have a "normal" life is for one to die.[&o]

Maybe I am reading way to much into it, but that's just how it's coming across to me.



phosadaud -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 1:05:26 PM)

That's not what she said and they didn't have the surgery knowing one would die. The hope was that both would survive. Sadly, that was not the case.



Memaw. -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 1:36:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mrs.Wifey

I can understand making that decision, especially in the case of the girls in that video. There is no way they would have even been able to function being conjoined at the head. While it was, I'm sure, a heart breaking thing to go through it was the best thing in the end.

Would you not want to give your child the possibility of a "normal" life?




quote:

That's not what she said and they didn't have the surgery knowing one would die. The hope was that both would survive. Sadly, that was not the case.


Kristin,
That is what was said.
How can the death of one child be "the best thing"?

There are cases of craniopagus conjoined twins (Lori and Reba Schappell being the most notable) who were not separated and are both living and "functioning".



phosadaud -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 1:48:58 PM)

She didn't say the death of one child was the best thing. She said that given that the girls would not have been able to function as they were and would not be able to survive long, it was probably best. Here is more info on the case, if that helps you understand better:

But they had learned about the poor prognosis of craniopagus twins — without surgery, most don't live past their second birthday.

If they had not been separated, they would not live long. By doing the surgery, they both had a chance of surviving. Only one did. It's very sad, but the alternative was that neither would live long.



1love1God1way -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 2:04:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

Since there is a low rate of both twins surving when separating conjoined twins (at least certain kinds, I know that there are some twins connected in very minor ways that are more easy to separate), is it really right to take that risk? I mean, it's hard to judge the parents, as they are faced with a decision millions of people never have to, but after seeing THIS, it got me thinking.


Is it bad that the first thing I thought of when I saw them was "man, that must have hurt when they came out. . . "?

Anyway, I agree with the posters who say the choice is made on the highest chance of survival, and in this case, also functionality.



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 2:17:11 PM)

quote:

Is it bad that the first thing I thought of when I saw them was "man, that must have hurt when they came out. . . "?


Well, it's understandable to think about it, but it is also not the politest comment one could make. However, for your information, usually these days, because of having pre-birth information due to sonograms, conjoined twins are normally delivered by C-section, so the answer to your question is no.



1love1God1way -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 2:36:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

quote:

Is it bad that the first thing I thought of when I saw them was "man, that must have hurt when they came out. . . "?


Well, it's understandable to think about it, but it is also not the politest comment one could make. However, for your information, usually these days, because of having pre-birth information due to sonograms, conjoined twins are normally delivered by C-section, so the answer to your question is no.


That's what I figured after I had that moment.

But, it is a touching and sad story at the same time. I applaud those parents in the strength they have shown through it.



OneOfHisJewels -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 4:32:59 PM)

Also, not exactly on topic, but many normal twins are delivered by C-section.

Anyway, glad you figured it out.[:)]



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/18/2008 4:48:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: phosadaud

She didn't say the death of one child was the best thing. She said that given that the girls would not have been able to function as they were and would not be able to survive long, it was probably best. Here is more info on the case, if that helps you understand better:

But they had learned about the poor prognosis of craniopagus twins — without surgery, most don't live past their second birthday.

If they had not been separated, they would not live long. By doing the surgery, they both had a chance of surviving. Only one did. It's very sad, but the alternative was that neither would live long.


That is exactly what I meant, thanks Kristin.

In that specific case, in the way that they were conjoined they would not have functioned very well. It would be an awful decision to have to risk either of their lives in order to separate them.



1love1God1way -> RE: Separating conjoined twins (4/20/2008 1:48:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels

Also, not exactly on topic, but many normal twins are delivered by C-section.

Anyway, glad you figured it out.[:)]


I have much to learn.

. . . mostly when it comes to women and babies and such.



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