Twin Sisters "Team," Have Triplets

Husband Of One Of The Sisters Fertilized Eggs; One Sister Has Twins, The Other A Girl

(CBS)  For five of the six years Darla and Mark Pritchard were married, they were trying to start a family.

Two attempts at in-vitro fertilization had failed, and they were about to make a third try when Darla's twin sister, Dana Johnson, offered to be a surrogate, to up the odds of success. Darlas and Mark took her up on the offer.

It turned out both women, 39, got pregnant when Mark's fertilized eggs were implanted.

On Feb. 27, Darla gave birth to twins, Mallory and Wesley and, six weeks later, Dana had a girl, Mattie.

They're considered triplets and biological siblings.

All three will be raised by Darla and Mark.

Darla and Dana told all about it on The Early Show Tuesday.

"My family had just felt so helpless, for so long," Darla said, "watching me depressed (because of my inability to conceive) and all that, and Dana was the only one who felt like she could help, and she offered to carry a baby for us."

"They're from the same batch of eggs, same batch of sperm, and so they are considered triplets -- they just have different birthdays," Darla continued.

"I'll have to adopt Mattie. Legally, in Missouri, Dana's the mother."

[antepamfe200]

I think that what these two sisters did was awesome. May God bless the family. This is what love of a family is all about. Giving unselfishly.

[mercyme884]

What a wonderful story about a kind, loving and generous family. God Bless you all .

[mlochk22]

I feel that this story should be viewed first. This live story did not make the story very clear to the viewer. Please go here for a more detailed telling:

http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/42d8ec89-80ce-0971-01dd-9dbdeb39d34e

[teddibear99]

Congratulations Darla & Mark. You have been blessed with three beautiful babies who will know just how much they are loved as they grow up in a truly devoted family. Dana, you are a wonderful loving sister. You and your children are going to be there to share in the joy and make cherished memories together which is what family is all about. We are proud to be counted amongst your many friends who love and support all of you.

[dob0569]

Clarification for Patsy. The eggs were Darla''s; the sperm was Mark''s. Darla''s eggs were fertilized with Mark''s sperm and some made embryos. Some embryos were transferred in to Dana and some in to Darla. Both got pregnant - with Darla and Mark''s babies. Dana was simply a surrogate. She carried Darla and Mark''s baby for Darla and Mark. Darla has to adopt her biological daughter because Missouri law says the birth mother is the legal mother (not necessarily the biological one).

[elukacek]

Congradulations to them and triple the blessing! Being adopted i would do the same thing if i couldnt conceive id love to adopt but unless u go out of the country most of not all agencies are open adoption and over my dead body would i let another women in and out of my baby''s life when its good enough for her, being adopted i consider my birth mother just a surrogate. I admire the sister for being so kind hearted to do that for her sister and turned out she truly was meant to e a mom

[inventagod2]

"This is wonderful news. Now both women can enter the kingdom of heaven for they have not been barren.

Posted by GOP_forever at 11:07 AM : Jul 22, 2008"

Wow - That is some STRONG Koolaid! Thanks, Jim Jones, for your opinion...

[professorval]

And what kind of kingdom does someone with a barren mind enter? How can you make such a statement? Are you that brainwashed by whatever religion you think is bringing YOU closer to heaven? I was nauseated by your comment but it reinforces my behavior to walk away from any and all dogma. Baaaaaaa-Baaaaaaa

[professorval]

And what kind of kingdom does someone with a barren mind enter? How can you make such a statement? Are you that brainwashed by whatever religion you think is bringing YOU closer to heaven? I was nauseated by your comment but it reinforces my behavior to walk away from any and all dogma. Baaaaaaa-Baaaaaaa

[gr8lakesgrrl]

Where are your editors, CBS? Both women were impregnated by eggs from one of their husbands?!? Since when do eggs come from husbands? Mark must be some sort of medical miracle or something.

Also, fertilized eggs are not implanted, they are transferred and if you''re lucky they implant themselves.

[jazzham]

I know Dana personally, she is an amazing sister. She taught not only her children what it means to make a sacrifice for someone you love but she showed us all the TRUE meaning of unselfishness. May God bless her and Darla and of course those wonderful babies. What a wonderful feel good story thank you CBS for sharing their story maythe world truly learn what it means to give of oneself for the happiness of another.