A 20-year-old mother in Tucson, Arizona, chose faith over medical advice when she decided to carry her conjoined twins to term, despite doctors warning of zero survival chances and risks to her own life.
In our walk with God, we often face moments that test our faith against worldly wisdom. When we choose to trust in His guidance rather than human understanding, we witness His hand working in ways that surpass our limited expectations.
For young mother Brianna Pereyda, this divine truth became her reality as she faced one of the most challenging decisions any parent could face.
Brianna and her husband Emiliano Hernandez were already blessed with two healthy sons when they got heartbreaking news about their twins during pregnancy.
Medical tests showed the twins were joined together and had problems with their spine, body, and organs. Medical professionals strongly advised termination, explaining that neither baby would survive due to their inability to breathe independently.
At 34 weeks into her pregnancy, doctors urged Pereyda to accept an injection that would stop both babies’ hearts. “The doctors told me they were not going to survive,” Pereyda shared. “My mindset was that the babies would survive and God would save them. I kept saying: ‘No. God might give me a miracle.'”
The young mother described her experience as a “spiritual battle between religion, science and numbers.” Seeking guidance, she turned to her Catholic faith and consulted a priest who reminded her that termination would go against God’s will. This encounter strengthened her resolve to continue the pregnancy.
Despite facing disapproval from medical staff, Pereyda remained firm in her decision. “When I told them: ‘No, I want to continue,’ they just looked at me,” she recalled. Eventually, the medical team agreed to support her choice while warning about potential risks, including severe bleeding that could lead to her death.
On October 9, 2023, Josiah and Isaiah were born at Banner UMC Tucson. Though they lived for only 27 minutes, these precious moments allowed them to be blessed by a priest and to know their parents’ love.
“I saw them come out with so little life, and could not open their eyes,” Pereyda said. “When they snapped the umbilical cord, they were already declining.” One twin passed first, followed shortly by his brother.
People came together to help the family through their loss. A GoFundMe page raised more than $7,000 for funeral costs. The twins had a beautiful service with open caskets at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson, where family and friends gathered to say goodbye.
Though her heart aches, Brianna stands by her choice. “The operation was worth doing to give my children a shot at life,” she said. “I would do it again. As a mother, if I had to sacrifice my body to save my children.”
While she admits that “a part of us died that day,” she finds peace knowing her sons’ story has touched many lives.
God’s answer to our prayers might not always match what we hope for. But we can see His plans unfolding before our eyes in unexpected ways.
In this story, we see how God answered Brianna’s prayers. He gave the babies 27 precious minutes of life, allowing the parents to hold them dearly and bless them.
Furthermore, God used this experience to inspire other parents who are going through similar situations and remind them about the value of life.
Think about how many people might choose differently after reading this touching story. This is how God’s plan unfolds. His answer has now reached not just the parents and their families, but people around the world.
Let’s pray for Brianna, Emiliano, and their family, asking God to heal their hearts and give them strength for each new day.