Former conjoined twin gives birth to healthy baby after high-risk pregnancy
A woman once part of a pair of conjoined twins has given birth to a healthy baby girl in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu Province. The delivery took place on February 22, 2026, at the same hospital where she and her sister were separated nearly three decades ago. The birth marks a significant milestone for both the mother and the medical team involved.
The baby girl arrived at 10:32 am, weighing 2,800 grams. Born during the Chinese New Year of the Horse, she was one of 56 'Horse babies' welcomed by the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University that day. Her nickname, 'Tangyuan,' symbolises reunion and good fortune.
The mother, separated from her twin sister in 1997, had a higher-risk pregnancy due to congenital heart disease. She had previously undergone surgery for Pentalogy of Fallot, a complex heart condition. During her pregnancy, doctors monitored a mild rise in her pulmonary artery pressure, which was managed through the hospital's online outpatient service by doctor Xu Yunzhao.
A multidisciplinary team carefully planned the delivery to ensure safety for both mother and child. The hospital has built its expertise in complex cases since 1997, when a team of over 20 specialists, led by Chen Yuquan, successfully separated the conjoined twins.
The birth of 'Tangyuan' demonstrates the hospital's long-term progress in treating high-risk pregnancies and complex medical histories. The mother, once a patient herself, now celebrates a new chapter as the hospital continues to refine its specialised care.
