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Jacksonville conjoined twins survive first surgery

Identical twin boys, Carter and Conner, transferred to children's hospital for further care
The first photo of conjoined twins, Carter and Conner.

12/14/14 UPDATE -- Carter and Conner are now recovering from their first surgery.

According to family, doctors on Saturday had to repair some organ damage.

Family reported on social media that some of the identical twins' organs were exposed.

Carter and Conner are conjoined facing each other from the sternum area to the abdomen.

Family said Sunday evening the boys share a liver and part of their intestines.

In pictures provided by family, you can see the boys have been labeled by hospital staff as infant 'A' and 'B'.

According to family, doctors intend on leaving the boys conjoined for the time being.

They are currently hooked up to breathing machines.

Family reported that Carter is starting to have some heart complications.

Mom, Michelle Brantley, and her fiance, Bryan Mirabal, are doing well.

They are expected to get to come home from the hospital on Sunday evening.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A local woman gave birth late Friday to the first set of conjoined twins the area has seen in years.

First Coast News has been following Michelle Brantley's pregnancy for more than a month.

She and her fiance Bryan Mirabal were surprised in the spring to hear that not only were they expecting identical twins, but the boys were conjoined facing each other from the sternum to the lower abdomen.

Brantley was initially told by doctors that she might not make it to 32 weeks and the boys had a 25% chance of surviving their rare condition.

However, her pregnancy continued with no major complications. This week she told FCN she was "excited, but nervous" about her scheduled c-section this coming Wednesday.

But late Friday night, the family said they rushed Brantley to UF Health after she started going into labor early.

Then, just before midnight, Carter and Conner were officially welcomed into the world. The family said the delivery went well and that both mom, dad and brother Gage are doing okay.

The twins, though, have been transferred to Wolfson Children's Hospital for further observation and treatment, the family said.

According to previous interviews with Brantley, Carter and Conner are expected to be left conjoined for the time being.

It's believed this is the area's first set of conjoined twins in approximately 15 years.

First Coast News will continue to update you on their progress. You can show your support for the family by visiting their Facebook page at "Prayers for Carter & Conner."

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