Couple rejects abortion for their conjoined twins: ‘To us, it wasn't an option’

A North Carolina couple recently discovered their unborn twins were conjoined and rejected advice to terminate the pregnancy, according to WXIX-TV.

Heather and Jason Kroeger, the parents of five other children ranging in ages from 4 to 17, learned earlier this year that they were expecting again. During the first trimester of Heather’s pregnancy, they learned they were having conjoined twins.

The diagnosis

“There was that initial shock, and a lot goes through your head,” Jason Kroeger told WXIX. “But pretty quickly, we came to the realization, these are our boys and we’ve got to do what we can do for them.”

The couple was advised to have an abortion several times throughout the pregnancy, but they refused.

"To us, it wasn't an option," Jason said.

The birth

The Kroegers traveled to Ohio in order to have their children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, a facility equipped to handle their needs. Their sons, Elijah and Isaac, were born Sept. 5.

Can the boys be separated?

Cincinnati Children's Hospital has successfully separated conjoined twins in the past, but Jason said his sons won’t be able to undergo such a procedure because they share too many vital organs.

What’s next for the family?

The boys, he said, have distinct personalities and are a “blessing” to their family.

Friends of the family set up a GoFundMe page to help the Kroegers with their medical expenses.

“We are asking you to consider giving a donation to help this young couple who has been faithful to God's plan for life and love,” the page states. “They carry a heavy cross right now as they are facing the unknown.”

The couple told WXIX that St. Xavier Church in Cincinnati provided them with shelter and care when they arrived in the city.

Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV

(H/T: Faithwire News)