In October 2022, a couple from Michigan discovered they were pregnant for the first time.

But at seven weeks, doctors were already puzzled. “My obstetrician was having a hard time understanding what she was looking at on the screen,” Nicole LeBlanc told Newsweek. “She could only detect one heartbeat but was convinced she was seeing twins.”

A few weeks later, after severe abdominal pain sent her to the emergency room, Nicole’s world changed.

“I was all alone and the technician told me she needed to run to get my husband [Austin] to show him what they were looking at,” she said. “She showed me the screen, and I could not believe my eyes. There were two babies on the screen jumping in unison that were attached to each other.”

The technician confirmed Nicole, 23 at the time, was pregnant with twins, but they were conjoined and shared a heart, liver, intestines, diaphragm and umbilical cord.

Doctors explained the prognosis: the twins would most likely miscarry, be stillborn, or—if they survived delivery—live only minutes to hours.

Nicole explained how doctors urged her toward termination. “Most of them were pushing my husband and I and were very adamant about me having an abortion to ‘take care of the situation,'” she said.

“I was extremely appalled because these babies were clearly alive and just trying to survive,” Nicole said. “They had no idea what was happening to them, they were not in any pain, it was no one’s fault that they formed like this. I believe life is worth living and that everyone deserves a chance at life.”

Nicole and Austin, both practicing Catholics, decided they would carry their babies as long as possible.

“We… believe that all human lives are valuable from the moment of conception until natural death,” Nicole said. “If my girls were going to die anyway, why would I have an abortion to speed up the process? Just because there was a major disability doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of life.”

On May 16, 2023, at 32 weeks, Maria Therese and Rachel Clare were delivered by C-section.

“Maria let out a big cry and Rachel was sleeping the whole time,” Nicole said. “It was so incredible to see their little faces and their shared body. I had never seen conjoined twins in person before so I couldn’t stop looking at my girls and how they had been forming right under my heart.”

The twins were baptized and confirmed while lying on Nicole’s chest. “I told them, ‘Mommy and daddy are going to be okay. I told them they could let go, and they could go be with Jesus in Heaven.’ Then my husband held them and kissed them until they took one big breath in and exhaled together their last breath on earth. They were holding each other and felt safe in the arms of their daddy.”

Since their passing, Nicole has honored her daughters in meaningful ways. She donated her breast milk for six months to local families and a milk bank.

Friends also created keepsakes, and the family continues to visit the girls’ grave with flowers.

Nicole and Austin share their story in the hope to inspire others. “I have had many reach out to me and tell me they have changed their mind on abortion, especially in the case where there is a fatal diagnosis in the womb,” Nicole said.

“I hope that when people read our story, they too can see the other side of the coin of what a beautiful thing life can be when given the chance. We all will experience pain and sorrow—it’s inevitable. But at least we have a chance to live and that is a beautiful thing because life is worth living, no matter how long or short.”

Now a mother to a 6-month-old daughter, Nicole tells her about her big sisters in heaven. “I am able to look at my daughter now and tell her I would do anything for her, just as I did for her big sisters,” she said.