Texas mother trusts God with conjoined twins' separation surgery: 'He's done everything for a reason'

Formerly conjoined twins Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata are doing well after undergoing separation surgery last week. 

The 10-month-old girls were fused from the ribcage to the pelvis, and shared a liver, lungs, colon, and other organs. 

Parents Eric and Elysse found out that separating their daughters was possible after doctors discovered they have separate hearts. Initially, though, the Matas said doctors suggested abortion. 

"I told him, 'I don't care what the case is, I'm going to go as long as I can, and if God decides that he needs them more, then so be it,'" Elysse recounted

Although the separation surgery was risky, the parents believed it was in the best interest of the babies. 

"I want to give them a shot at a normal life as much as possible," Elysse said. "I feel like they've come this far, why hold back? Why not follow through? Why not give them that chance?"

The operation was conducted at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston - the same hospital where the twins were born nine weeks premature in April 2014.

"Separating conjoined twins is a very complicated task and there are lots of risks involved, and death is absolutely one of those risks," Dr Darrell Cass, the leader of the twins' surgical team admitted. 

Elysse, although nervous, continued to put her daughters' fate in God's hands. 

"I just don't want to lose them, and I know there's that risk," she shared. "But I have this peace of mind, this faith in God that He's done everything for a reason and that He's got control of it, and I feel like He's going to bring them through it."

The 23-hour surgery was successful with few complications, and both girls are awake and recovering well in the hospital. 

News
NHS should focus less on diversity and inclusion and more on raising maternity care standards, says Family Education Trust
NHS should focus less on diversity and inclusion and more on raising maternity care standards, says Family Education Trust

The Family Education Trust (FET) has said that government’s attempt to make life easier for sexual subcultures has come at the cost of basic maternity services.

Young people in Northern Ireland are open to religion, poll finds
Young people in Northern Ireland are open to religion, poll finds

Research commissioned by The Iona Institute has suggested that young people in Northern Ireland are the most favourable towards religion in the province.

'Something is happening,' says Alpha founder Nicky Gumbel amid reports of a Quiet Revival in the UK
'Something is happening,' says Alpha founder Nicky Gumbel amid reports of a Quiet Revival in the UK

Alpha pioneer Nicky Gumbel is as passionate as ever about seeing ordinary believers introduce others to the Christian faith, especially at a time when so many people are searching for meaning and purpose - and there are signs they are increasingly turning to the Church. 

Sacked Christian teacher warns about erosion of free speech in the UK
Sacked Christian teacher warns about erosion of free speech in the UK

Pearson is being represented in claims of wrongful dismissal by the Christian Legal Centre and has said that his story is a warning about the current perilous state of freedom of speech in Britain.