Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel have captured the hearts of millions over the years, particularly with their appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996 and their TLC reality series Abby & Brittany, which followed their journey through college and adulthood. But the question that has long intrigued the public—could these extraordinary sisters become mothers?—has finally been addressed by their mother, Patty Hensel.
Abby and Brittany share a body but have distinct personalities, with Abby controlling the right side and Brittany managing the left. They have grown up to be independent women, with their parents, Patty and Mike Hensel, allowing them to live their lives without being defined by their unique condition. Their parents made the decision against separation surgery, even after doctors warned of the risks. Mike Hensel famously said in a 2001 interview, “How could you choose one child over the other?”
A New Chapter for Abby
Abby’s personal life has also evolved in recent years. In 2021, she quietly married Josh Bowling, a nurse and U.S. Army veteran, with their wedding kept private. Since then, public photos show the happy couple enjoying life and traveling together. However, a major question continues to surround the couple: Can Abby and Brittany have children?
While many assume that their conjoined nature would make pregnancy impossible, Patty has shared that both twins have expressed a strong desire to become mothers one day. In the documentary Joined For Life, Patty revealed that the twins’ shared organs are functional, and she suggested that motherhood could be a possibility for them.
Facebook / Abby Brittany Hensel
Desire for Motherhood
Throughout their teenage years, Abby and Brittany spoke openly about their hopes of becoming mothers, though they maintained their privacy about the specifics. Abby said in an earlier documentary, “Yeah, we are going to be mums one day, but we don’t want to talk about how it’s going to work yet.” Their shared dream of motherhood remains a deeply personal goal, and although it remains unclear how they might achieve this, their determination and individuality shine through.
Questions Beyond Motherhood
While the question of motherhood continues to be a topic of fascination, people are also curious about the everyday logistics of Abby and Brittany’s life. One of the common questions is how they manage meals. Abby and Brittany usually share a single meal, though they sometimes eat separately. Despite sharing a bladder and excretory system, they each have their own digestive system and stomach. This arrangement makes it simpler to coordinate their eating habits.
Joshua Bowling / Facebook
A Focus on Privacy and Intimacy
The twins have also maintained their privacy regarding more intimate matters. They have never publicly discussed their sex life, and the fact that they share one set of genitals raises intriguing questions. Experts like Alice Dreger, a professor of clinical medical humanities, suggest that while the twins share physical sensations, it’s hard to predict how their intimate experiences unfold due to their unique condition.
Despite the challenges, Abby and Brittany have lived remarkable lives, with a focus on their independence, love for each other, and the support of their family. As Abby steps into this new chapter of her life with her husband, fans are left wondering: will motherhood be a part of their journey? For now, Abby and Brittany remain focused on living life on their own terms, continuing to inspire others every step of the way.
