The World's Most Premature Twins Celebrate Their 1st Birthday By Defying All The Odds
May 18, 2023
Born 126 days early, the world’s most premature twins celebrate their first birthday by defying the odds. Typically babies born before 22 weeks of pregnancy do not survive. Most hospitals around the world will encourage their parents to let them pass from their arms into the arms of Jesus.
I vividly remember standing over the grave of my twin nephews, who were born at 21 weeks. It felt like the grief we were experiencing would tear our hearts at the seams as we grieved two healthy boys born too early.
RELATED: Premature Twin Girls Born No Bigger Than A Soda Bottle Are Out Of The ICU And Headed Home
Babies born after 22 weeks typically don’t survive either. If they do, they have a challenging journey of health-related complications to overcome from being born so early.
Parents Brace For The Worst
Shakina and Kevin had already survived the devastating loss of their first child due to a miscarriage. When Shakina discovered she was pregnant again, she was anxious. She was praying for a heartbeat. She was praying her future held her longing to become a mother.
During her first ultrasound, all she could do was ask continually, “Is there a heartbeat?” Her wildest hope became a reality when the technician held up two fingers and informed her she was carrying twins. The pregnancy was smooth sailing until Shakina found herself in labor at 21 weeks.
RELATED: World’s Most Premature Baby Given 0% Chance Of Survival Proves Why You Never Say Never
Shakina said, “At that point, all the doctors and nurses said they could do was offer comfort care where they would put the babies on my chest and Kevin’s chest and wait for them to die.”
The World's Most Premature Twins Defy The Odds
Miraculously, their twins were born at exactly 22 weeks, just a few minutes after midnight. Their daughter Adiah was the first to arrive, followed by her brother Adrial. Shakina and her husband learned quickly their twins were fighters who battled multiple health complications. Miraculously after spending nearly six months in the NICU, both were discharged to go home.
Now they’ve made it to their first birthday, becoming the world's most premature twins! And they are celebrated worldwide as being the youngest twins born at 22 weeks. May their birth and lives signify that all life is precious and worth fighting for.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Firefighters Help Save Premature Twins’ Lives
“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:15-16.
WATCH: The World's Most Premature Twins Celebrate Their 1st Birthday
LISTEN: Joanna Gaines Gets Brutally Honest About Motherhood | Blessing As Woman Gives Birth To Two Sets Of Twins
Featured Image Credit: Youtube/Guinness World Records
Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Discernment - Your Daily Prayer - October 26
Next time you face a difficult decision, precisely one where whatever you choose will be beneficial, take time and ask the Lord for discernment. Lean into the Holy Spirit, listen for the ways He speaks to your heart, and whatever you decide, glorify the Lord.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Discernment - Your Daily Prayer - October 26
Next time you face a difficult decision, precisely one where whatever you choose will be beneficial, take time and ask the Lord for discernment. Lean into the Holy Spirit, listen for the ways He speaks to your heart, and whatever you decide, glorify the Lord.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.