A simulation has revealed how the body of conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel functions, following renewed public interest after the sisters were recently seen with a newborn.
Who Are Abby and Brittany Hensel?
Born in March 1990 in Minnesota, Abby and Brittany Hensel are dicephalic parapagus twins—an extremely rare condition where the siblings have separate heads but share one body. Over the years, the twins have become well known through appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, TLC documentaries, and their own reality series, Abby & Brittany, which aired in 2012.
Now 35 years old, Abby and Brittany are teachers at a local elementary school and have maintained a relatively private life—until recently.
Marriage and Motherhood Speculation
In 2021, Abby married Josh Bowling, a U.S. Army veteran and nurse, a fact that was kept private until recently. The couple, along with Brittany, were spotted with a newborn baby in Arden Hills, Minnesota. The photos, which circulated online in mid-August, sparked speculation about whether the baby was theirs.
While Abby and Brittany have not confirmed the baby’s identity or whether they are now parents, their recent TikTok post acknowledged the speculation—featuring paparazzi shots of the baby and a cryptic caption:
“Blessed #abbyandbrittany #twins #abbyandbrittanyhensel #sisterhood #respect.”
The ambiguous response has left fans with more questions than answers.
How Does Their Body Work?
A simulation video shared online and later posted by the twins themselves offers insights into how their unique body operates. Key features include:
- Two heads and separate brains: Each twin controls one half of their shared body.
- Abby controls the right arm and leg.
- Brittany controls the left arm and leg.
- Separate organs:
- Two spinal cords
- Two hearts
- Two stomachs
- Three kidneys (one for Abby, two for Brittany)
- Two sets of lungs, partially fused
- Shared organs:
- Liver
- Large and small intestines
- Bladder
- Reproductive system
This means any potential for pregnancy would involve both of them, as their reproductive system is shared and functions normally. In a previous documentary, Joined For Life, their mother stated that it would be “theoretically possible” for the twins to become mothers. Brittany also confirmed at the time:
“Yeah, we’re going to be moms.”
Daily Life and Coordination
Despite sharing one body, Abby and Brittany manage everyday tasks remarkably well:
- Driving:
- Abby operates the pedals and gear shift.
- Brittany handles the blinkers and lights.
- Both steer.
- Eating:
- They have two stomachs and can eat different meals, but often coordinate to eat the same food at one time for convenience.
- Hobbies and Activities:
- They can swim, play piano, volleyball, and go bowling—showcasing impressive coordination and teamwork.
- Professional Life:
- They work as elementary school teachers and are compensated with a single salary, though they have expressed hope for future negotiation given their dual qualifications and contributions.
Privacy and Personal Boundaries
Though they were public figures during their reality TV years, Abby and Brittany have since maintained a low profile.
In 2012, Brittany said:
“The whole world doesn’t need to know who we are seeing, what we are doing and when we are going to do it.”
Abby added:
“Yeah, we are going to be moms one day, but we don’t want to talk about how it’s going to work yet.”
Conclusion
While the recent photos have sparked intense curiosity about whether Abby and Brittany have had a child, the sisters have chosen to keep their private life mostly under wraps. What is clear, however, is that the Hensel twins continue to defy odds—not just medically, but socially, professionally, and personally—as they live a unique and coordinated life together.
