MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Doctors performed a successful separation surgery on conjoined twins in June, and now say they’re thriving.

Heather Delaney gave birth to Erin and Abby Delaney on July 24, 2016.

The Delaney’s are from Mooresville but traveled to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for delivery.

The twins were 10 weeks premature, each infant weighing 2 pounds and 1 ounce.

Conjoined twins are so rare it happens once in every 50,000 to 60,000 births.

About 30 people helped during the risky 11-hour surgery, with possibilities of one or both twins dying.

Months later, Erin has been released from the hospital but Abby still needs round-the-clock care at the hospital.

“They’re still happy. They’re not afraid of people,” said Heather Delaney. “It’s just amazing to see they’re so brave through all of this.”

During the next few years, the twins will need additional plastic and reconstructive surgeries to replace the missing bone at the tops of their heads, normalize their hairlines and minimize scarring.

The Delaney’s hope to bring their daughters home to Mooresville later this year.