KINGSTON, Jamaica — Save for the usual morning sickness, early fatigue, and occasional aches and pains, Iesha McMurray had a pretty normal pregnancy. She informed Observer Online that nothing prepared her for the unusual diagnosis she would receive 28 weeks into her pregnancy.

An ultrasound showed the mother-to-be was expecting twins, but it also revealed that her babies were joined at the stomach. McMurray was told that her twin girls, Azaria and Azora, shared a liver and would need to undergo separation surgery.

As would be the case with any mother, McMurray, 27, has been overwhelmed with emotions. According to news she’s received from doctors, the twins’ condition is a rarity in Jamaica, and the latter alone has left her swimming in a sea of uncertainty. Observer Online understands that over the past five decades, there have been approximately two cases of conjoined twins locally. None survived.

Still, a firm believer in God, the mother who has two other kids says she has faith all will be well.

“On the 7th of this month, my girls will be a month old, and they have so much to look forward to. The doctors tell me the good and the bad. They explained all the possible complications, but my girls are in God’s hands,” she said. “I’m scared, but I believe in God, so I don’t focus on what could go wrong. I just know they’re going to be alright and they’re going to separate and be good.”

McMurray expressed that although the journey has the potential to become stressful, she has the love and support of family and friends to keep her going. She also revealed that when her story first hit the media, sceptics refused to believe it was real. Those comments, she said, left her heartbroken, but she explained that so far, positive feedback and well-wishes have far exceeded the negative comments from naysayers.

“Since my story came out, although you have some people who commented and said they don’t think the story is real or is some scamming thing and is not Jamaica it a happen, I don’t really pay much attention because I know God has my back,” she said. “More people are showing support than people who don’t believe or have something negative to say. I have a good support system, baby father, family, and friends who are helping to keep me going through this. My girls will be fine.”

McMurray says the decision on whether the twins will undergo the complicated surgery in Jamaica or overseas has not yet been made. Still, in a bid to be proactive, she has set up a GoFundMe to raise money to assist with medical expenses.

As of now, they have raised US$2,287 (approximately $333,902.00) out of their goal of US$50,000 ($7.7 million).

Persons wishing to assist Azaria and Azora Elson may contribute at https://gofund.me/19221951