Mom of Conjoined Twins Gives Birth Despite Knowing Only One Child Will Survive

— -- A Minnesota woman delivered conjoined twin girls in Colorado, though only one infant survived the long surgery to separate them.

Amber McCullough delivered her girls, named Hannah and Olivia, Wednesday at the Children's Hospital of Colorado, where they immediately underwent a 5-hour surgery to separate the two girls.

Olivia who was not expected to live through the operation died but her twin Hannah remains in critical but stable condition at the hospital.

“I believe in the power of prayer and the talent of medical professionals here,” McCullough said in a statement released by the hospital.

McCullough wrote on Facebook about the plan to separate the two girls who were joined through their abdomen. While she expected the surgery and recovery might be painful for the surviving twin Hannah, she hoped it would give her a chance at a full life.

"I am determined not only to do all we can to keep her alive but also to ensure she is happy and as comfortable as possible," McCullough wrote on Facebook. "That being said, naturally there will be some uncomfortable parts of this journey in which case we will also lean on the doctors to manage her pain."

Conjoined twins are rare and occur approximately once every 50,000 to 60,000 births, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

McCullough posted pictures of her ultrasounds during her pregnancy writing she was trying to enjoy her time, despite knowing that only one girl was likely to survive.

"You can see Olivia embracing Hannah and even appears to kiss her on the cheek at times," McCullough wrote on Facebook about seeing her daughter's ultrasounds. "I can tell you that these girls love to play. They are very active. I am enjoying every kick, every picture, every smile.... even in utero these girls flood my heart with joy."

The Associated Press contributed to this article.