Mother's joy as conjoined twins successfully separated

Twin girls Rosie and Ruby Formosa, who were born joined at the abdomen and shared part of the intestine. Credit: Medical Illustration/PA Wire

A mother has described her joy after a successful operation to separate her conjoined twins.

Rosie and Ruby Formosa, who are only 12 weeks old, needed an emergency operation to separate them after they were born joined at the abdomen and shared part of the intestine.

The identical girls underwent an operation at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) on July 27 - the day after they were born.

The twin are doing well and have been described as "normal bubbly babies," despite warnings that survival chances were low.

Mother Angela, 32, said:

Angela and Daniel Formosa with surgeon Edward Kiely and Professor Agostino Pierro holding their twins Rosie (left) and Ruby (right) Formosa Credit: Medical Illustration/PA Wire

The girls were operated on by a team of specialists led by paediatric surgeon Professor Agostino Pierro.

Rosie and Ruby Formosa have been described as "normal bubbly babies" after a successful operation to separate them. Credit: Medical Illustration/PA Wire

Angela Formosa said that she and her taxi driver husband Daniel, 36, were "happy and relieved" to have the girls at home.

Rosie Formosa is now 12 weeks old and she and her sister are expected to lead "happy and normal lives". Credit: Medical Illustration/PA Wire
Ruby Formosa is now home and is said to be doing "really well". Credit: Medical Illustration/PA Wire

The mother-of-three added that she was "incredibly grateful" to the GOSH staff.

What they have done for my two girls is amazing. When I was pregnant they were saying that the survival chances were quite low. For them to have been operated on and doing so well - it is amazing.