What once seemed almost impossible has become a life-changing reality for Abigail and Micaela, twin sisters born joined at the head. Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors, months of careful planning, and their family’s unwavering faith, the little girls are now beginning a new chapter—as two separate children. 🌸

“It felt almost impossible to separate them, but God and the doctors and nurses at UC Davis made it possible,” their mother, Liliya Miroshnik, said. “We are so thankful.” ❤️

Abigail and Micaela were born with craniopagus, an exceptionally rare condition in which twins are connected at the head. Fewer than a handful of babies worldwide are born with this condition each year, and only some are candidates for separation surgery.

Their journey began long before birth. At just 11 weeks pregnant, Liliya learned that her daughters were joined at the head. Already the mother of three boys, she was overwhelmed by the unexpected news.

“I was in complete shock,” she recalled. “When I got home, my husband told me everything would be okay. We would get through it. These are our children, and we already loved them.” 💙

The family was referred to UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center, where specialists closely monitored the pregnancy and carefully prepared for the girls’ arrival.

When Abigail and Micaela were born on December 30, they spent their first seven weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before finally going home with their family. 🏥

Doctors waited until the twins were nine months old before determining they were ready for the highly complex separation procedure. Waiting allowed the babies to grow stronger while giving the medical team time to prepare every detail.

For months, surgeons studied 3D models of the twins’ skulls, used advanced mixed-reality technology to map their shared anatomy, and carefully planned every step of the operation. Tissue expanders were also placed beneath the girls’ scalps to create enough skin for reconstruction after surgery.

When the day finally arrived, more than 30 surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and specialists worked together in perfect coordination.

The operation involved separating shared veins and brain tissue, reconstructing both skulls and scalps, repositioning the girls multiple times during surgery, and performing blood transfusions whenever necessary.

“It was like a choreographed ballet,” one of the surgeons said, reflecting on the remarkable teamwork that made the procedure possible.

Then, at 3:28 a.m., the moment everyone had been praying for finally arrived.

Abigail and Micaela became two separate little girls. ✨

“After 10 months of preparation, we witnessed the moment we had all hoped for,” one nursing leader shared. “I’ll never see 3:28 on a clock again without remembering the moment they became two separate babies.”

The surgeons described the operation as a landmark achievement and said they were honored to help give the twins the opportunity to live independent lives.

Today, Abigail and Micaela continue recovering while surrounded by the love of their parents and the dedicated medical team that cared for them from the very beginning. 💕

Although their future will continue to include follow-up care and rehabilitation, their family is filled with hope.

“No one knows exactly what the future holds because their journey is so unique,” Liliya said. “But I truly believe everything will be okay. It’s all in God’s hands… and that’s what gives me hope.” 🌈🙏