ASTONISHING photos have captured the moment the world’s second most premature twins were born at just 22 weeks and survived.
Tracey Hernandez, from Durham, North Carolina, was warned that twins Makayla and Makenzie Pope would have a zero chance of survival by doctors.
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Extraordinary photos have captured the birth of the world’s second most premature twins to surviveCredit: Tracey Hernandez
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The babies were born in their amniotic sacs Credit: Tracey Hernandez
The photos show the sisters born still in their amniotic sacs at Duke Universty Hospital in Durham on December 8 2019
The sisters, known as “micro preemies” were born weighing 1lb 1oz and 1lb 3oz and Tracey was unable to hold them.
But despite the doctors warnings, the twins have survived after spending four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.
The new mum explained that her twins were only able to survive because they were able to breathe on their own outside of the womb, as doctors warned they would be unable to resuscitate them.
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Tracey Hernandez is now looking forward to bringing her babies home, four months after she gave birthCredit: Tracey Hernandez
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The tots were able to survive because they could breathe unaided outside of the wombCredit: Tracey Hernandez
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Dad Antony Hope is looking forward to bringing his daughters homeCredit: Tracey Hernandez
And now Tracey and dad Antony Hope, are looking forward to bringing the twins home next month, just weeks after their due date which was April 9.
She will welcome them to older sister Jada, 8.
Speaking to the Metro, Tracey said: “I am so lucky and I know it’s an absolute miracle. I feel blessed.
“It has been a long and draining journey so far but we are nearly there and the end is so close now.
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Tracey had to wait a month before she could hold her babies Credit: Tracey Hernandez/Gofundme
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The twins have made an amazing recovery Credit: Tracey Hernandez
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Tracey was told her babies had a zero per cent chance of survivalCredit: Tracey Hernandez
“They have both amazed me and they continue to amaze me. ‘They are a blessing and I am so proud to call myself their mom.”
They are second only to twins Keeley and Kambry Ewoldt, from Iowa, who were born at 22 weeks 1 day, or 155 days, on November 24 2018.
According to the British Association of Perinatal Medicine 35 per cent of babies born at 22 weeks, when they are four months premature and weigh the same as a tin of beans, now survive if treated.