Born premature for months in Canada, siblings have been certified as the world’s most premature twins by Guinness.
Shakina Rajendram gave birth to Adiah Laelynn and Adrial Luka Nadarajah on March 4, 2022 in Ontario, 126 days early -- 18 weeks premature -- in Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital.
Guinness said that if the newborn twins had seen the light of the day one hour earlier than 22 weeks, "no attempt would have been made to save their lives."
The twins’ mother who had a failed first pregnancy just a few months prior, said they were “in shock” when they were told by the doctors that their babies were “not viable,” and had a “0% chance of survival."
When she went into labor after 21 weeks and five days -- over four months early -- she was told that the pregnancy was a loss, and nothing could be done to save her twins.
"No words could capture the emotional, mental and physical trauma we experienced in the moments that transpired," she said.
On her second day of labor, she learned "if the babies were born even a few minutes before they turned 22 weeks old, they would be left to die."
Shakina also told Guinness: "The babies were close to death so many times, and as people prayed, things would miraculously change."
Source: Anadolu Agency