Already have an account?
Get back to the

Mom of Conjoined Twins Holds Son for First Time After Their Separation

What a miracle. After 13 long months, Nicole McDonald was finally able to hold one of her conjoined sons for the first time after their separation on Friday, October 21.

Per CNN, McDonald’s sons Jadon and Anias, 13 months, were conjoined at the head. Last week, the boys underwent a 27-hour surgery at a New York hospital.

Jadon Arias
Jadon and Arias

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Moms Who Ate Their Own Placentas

The Charleston, Illinois, resident described the emotional experience of holding one of the twins in an October 17 Facebook post to her family and friends. “For over 13 months, I’ve dreamed of this moment. I looked down at Jadon’s angelic face and saw him in a way I’d never seen him before. He whimpered for almost the whole two hours I held him because he had just been extubated, had the area under his scalp washed out and had been weaned from the good pain meds,” she wrote. “But instead of wrapping my body around him in his bed, I wrapped my arms around him and rocked. One of the most profound moments of my life.”

Related: PHOTOS: Celeb Moms Share Breastfeeding Pictures

McDonald’s husband, Christian McDonald, was thrilled that his wife had one-on-one time with Jadon. “She’s been longing to hold him since the day the twins were born,” he told CNN. “That’s a very special moment for a mother to share.”

Nicole is counting down the days until she can hold Anias too. According to CNN, Jadon’s brother suffered seizures, breathing issues and heart problems before the surgery and is taking longer to recover.

Nicole McDonald Anias
Nicole McDonald and Anias

Last year, the couple — who are also parents of son Aza, 3 — launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the surgery. Since September 2015, they’ve surpassed their goal of $100,000 and have received more than $280,000.

Related: PHOTOS: Celeb Moms and Their Pregnancy Cravings

Nicole opened up about Jadon and Anias’ struggles at the time. “Until they are separated, my boys will never sit up. I won’t be able to put them up on my shoulder and hold them. They will struggle with eating. I can’t just swoop them up and snuggle them. All the things you take for granted with a typical baby, I yearn for,” she wrote on the page. “When this all began, back in that dark ultrasound room, I knew we were in for a battle, but I also knew that with God anything is possible. Our faith continues to grow as we watch God work out blessing after blessing in our life.”

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!