The family’s ordeal started in March when da Silva’s water broke 16 weeks early. Doctors tried stopping stop her labor but Alexandre was born four days later, putting him at risk of several health problems, including breathing and vision difficulties.
An estimated 50 percent of infants born at 24 weeks don’t survive and those that do are at risk for complications. As doctors treated Alexandre, they were able to keep da Silva from delivering her other son Ronaldo for 24 days, allowing him to develop further and gain more weight.
“They’re my miracle babies,” da Silva said of her growing boys. “Ronaldo because he stayed inside and Alexandre because he’s a survivor.”
Da Silva got one extra surprise before she left the hospital. Her boyfriend, Ronaldo Antune, popped the question by dressing their sons in specialized outfits that read “Mom will you … marry dad?”
