The Guinness Book of Records recognized them as the second pair of premature twins to survive in the world.

However, even though they were so weak from being born prematurely that their skin was translucent and their eyes were closed, Makayla and Mackenzie astonished the entire maternity ward at Duke University Hospital, as both were born still inside their amniotic sacs. At that time, Mackenzie weighed only 481 grams, and Makayla was slightly heavier at 538 grams.

Recounting her childbirth experience, Tracey Hernandez (33 years old) said: “When I went into labor, the doctor told me that the survival rate for my babies was 0%. Because babies born prematurely before 23 weeks usually can’t breathe on their own, and they can only save babies who can breathe on their own. This meant that if my babies couldn’t breathe, they couldn’t save them.

The moment I saw my babies gasping for breath was the most beautiful moment of my life. I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. It was a miracle.”

According to Tracey, her due date was in April 2020. But that day, she went out shopping to prepare for Christmas when she suddenly felt unwell. And just a few hours later, Tracey went into labor, 18 weeks early.

“Honestly, I can’t explain why my babies decided to be born so early. And I was incredibly panicked when I heard I was going to give birth prematurely. I wasn’t prepared for their arrival. I was always worried and scared thinking about giving birth early, but I never imagined it would happen to me.

Although my babies are safe, I still wish they had stayed in my womb a little longer. We don’t know if this will affect them in the future. But for now, I still feel lucky to have them by my side, and that’s enough,” the mother of three added.

As soon as the news broke that Makayla and Mackenzie were born at only 22 weeks and 3 days, the twins were recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the second pair of premature twins to survive in the world.

According to Guinness World Records, the earliest twins born were Keeley and Kambry Ewoldt from Iowa, USA. They were born at 22 weeks and 1 day of gestation on November 24, 2018. The most premature baby ever recorded was Freida Mangold, born in Germany in November 2010. At birth, Freida was only 21 weeks and 5 days in the womb.

According to doctors, babies born prematurely before 23 weeks of gestation have a survival rate of 0-10% because their hearts, lungs, and brains are not fully developed. The survival rate is usually 1 in 100 babies, many of whom have disabilities.

Although both Makayla and Makenzie are currently in the neonatal intensive care unit, doctors hope they will be able to go home to be reunited with their parents and older sister Jada (8 years old) next month. Currently, both babies are breathing on their own and bottle-feeding.

The mother of three shared: “My children are still in the intensive care unit. And I haven’t been able to hold or care for them for the first month of their lives. This is heartbreaking, but in return I get to watch them grow and become healthier.

It’s been a long and tiring journey, but it’s almost over. Makayla and Makenzie are blessings in my life and I am fortunate to be their mother.”