Newark, N.J. July 28: Doctors, nurses and staff at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, celebrated the birth and remarkable journey of a rare set of Monochorionic-Monoamniotic (MoMo) twins, Shednhee and Claydee with a special clap-out ceremony.
MoMo twins are extremely rare, occurring in approximately 0.01% of pregnancies. In these high-risk pregnancies, babies share both a placenta and a single amniotic sac, creating significant risks including preterm labor, growth restriction and umbilical cord entanglement that can threaten the lives of one or both babies.
Despite these challenges, first-time mother Shedeline Pierre Louis, 22 years old from Roselle, NJ, safely delivered the twins on May 26 at 32 weeks under the care of Dr. Alexander Juusela and the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Immediately after delivery, the twins received specialized care in the hospitals Level 4 Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
“MoMo pregnancies require careful monitoring and highly coordinated care because of the significant risks involved,” said Dr. Alexander Juusela, Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. “Seeing these babies reach this milestone is incredibly rewarding and reflects the expertise and dedication of our Maternal Fetal Medicine, labor and delivery and NICU teams, who worked together every step of the way to support this family.”
The twins’ progress represents an extraordinary outcome for one of the rarest and highest-risk forms of twin pregnancy.
“When I learned about the risks associated with my pregnancy, I was scared and overwhelmed,” said Shedeline. “The team at Newark Beth Israel supported me through every step of the journey and treated us like family. Seeing my babies healthy and finally being able to bring them home is more than I could have hoped for.”
The miracle birth was celebrated with a special hospital-wide clap-out, recognizing the resilience of the babies, the strength of their family, and the collaborative care that helped make this outcome possible.
“This milestone is a powerful example of what can be achieved through advanced maternal and neonatal care, teamwork, and compassionate support,” said Darrell K. Terry, Sr. President and Chief Executive Officer of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. “We are honored to have been part of this family’s journey and are thrilled to celebrate this special moment alongside them.”