A rare set of monochorionic-monoamniotic, or “MoMo,” twins have been reunited after their long stay at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Winnie and Wyleigh McLaughlin, who were born on Nov. 30 to Lawrence residents Alijah and Justin McLaughlin, were officially sent home earlier this month after being born 10 weeks early.
MoMo twins and their mother are high-risk
- MoMo twins share both a placenta and a sac, posing a significant risk to both the babies and the mother. Both the mother and babies were also considered high-risk because their umbilical cords are close together and entanglement can potentially result in blood flow being cut off, said Overland Park Regional Neonatologist Thomas Lancaster.
- “They often require a stay in the NICU for breathing support, feeding assistance or for treatment of complications that occur during pregnancy,” he said.
- MoMo twins represent only 1% of identical twins and 0.1% of all pregnancies, according to the hospital.
Alijah McLaughlin first went into the hospital Oct. 25
- At only 25 weeks pregnant, a sonogram revealed a potentially life-threatening knot in the babies’ umbilical cords, Lancaster said.
- McLaughlin was then admitted to Overland Park Regional’s Antepartum Unit, a specialized unit for high-risk mothers, following the discovery.
- After a six-week stay at the hospital, the twins were born Nov. 30 weighing less than four pounds each.
Winnie and Wyleigh returned home earlier this month
- Winnie was officially released from the hospital on Jan. 14, while Wyleigh was sent home the following week.
- With their hospital discharge, the twins were able to go home for the first time and meet their big brother, Weston.
- “I’ve gone through some hard times throughout the pregnancy,” McLaughlin said. “However, both my husband and I have learned to be adaptable, patient and lean on our support system.”
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