Rosie and Ruby Formosa, both from Kent’s Bexleyheath, were born stuck together in the middle and shared a gut. In order to stay alive, this meant that they had to have surgery right away. It seemed impossible to keep them apart, and their parents were told that the girls had very little chance of life.

Even though the odds were against them, the family prayed for a miracle and hoped for the best result possible. Thankfully, the girls were able to be split up after a very complicated surgery at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh).

Angela, the girls’ mother, talked about when they found out the kids she was carrying were joined together: “At 16 weeks, they sent me to King’s College Hospital, and that’s where they found the connection between the girls.”

I was very, very, very scared and upset because I was told that there was a good chance the girls wouldn’t make it through the pregnancy.

“Even if they made it through the pregnancy, they might not have made it through the birth or the surgery.” It wasn’t clear to them what linked them.

“I wasn’t ready to bring them home.” My husband didn’t start painting the bedroom and getting things ready for them until they were in the hospital after their surgery.

Rosie and Ruby started school four years after their surgery went well. The girls felt “very excited” to start school, just like their bigger sister Lilly, their proud mother said. They had already met their teacher.

The parents are thrilled that their daughters have started school, but they also say that the house will be sad without them while they are away.

We’re so happy that these pretty girls had a great outcome. So, we hope that life brings you only the best.