Brittani and Ian McIntire were stunned to learn that they were expecting twins, Mason and Madilyn. After several doctor’s appointments, the couple learned that one baby wasn’t developing as well as the other.
Mason, who currently weighs in at 9 ounces, has a hole in his heart and an abnormal brain. Madilyn is just over 2 pounds. Mason’s best chance at survival would be to operate on his heart, but doctors don’t want to take that risk because of his brain, Fox 8 reported.
During a recent ultrasound, however, the doctors captured tiny unborn baby Mason’s hand gripping his sister’s much larger hand.
The ultrasound technician told their parents that it seemed big sister Madilyn was protecting her little brother.
“Most twins, when [the ultrasound technician] is trying to take pictures and stuff they’re kicking each other and hitting each other,” Brittani said.”With our twins, it just seemed like she’s very protective over him.”
“We know we have a piece of them together that will last forever, and that’s special to have,” Ian said.
“I know I’m holding him, I’m carrying him, but I just want to be there for him,” Brittani said. “She (Madilyn) is the only one who can actually be there and is holding onto him. So it’s comforting to know that if he does pass, he won’t be alone.”
(h/t People Magazine)