The Incredible Story of the Siamese Twins: One Fell in Love, Had a Baby — and Both Became Mothers…

Pregnancy and Motherhood
One of the most historically significant events in their lives occurred between 1909 and 1910, when it became publicly known that Rosa was pregnant. This development was widely reported in European newspapers and documented by physicians who examined the twins.

Medical sources from the era confirm that Rosa carried the pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy boy on April 16, 1910. The child was named Franz, often referred to in records as Franz Jr. The birth was closely observed by medical professionals due to its rarity and scientific interest.

Contemporary medical documentation indicates that both sisters were capable of lactation, a physiological response explained by shared blood circulation and hormonal signaling. This phenomenon has since been recognized in medical literature as possible in certain conjoined twin anatomies, according to modern endocrinology research.

ROSA & JOSEPHA BLAZEK – The Bohemian Conjoined Twins | KickassFacts

Life After the Birth
Following the birth of Franz Jr., Rosa and Josefa continued to appear in public, sometimes accompanied by their child. Their presentations during this period focused on family life, resilience, and education, rather than sensationalism. The twins were often described as devoted caregivers, sharing responsibilities for the child’s upbringing.

Their story attracted attention not only from the general public but also from physicians and researchers studying reproductive health, anatomy, and endocrinology. Articles discussing their case appeared in early 20th-century medical journals, contributing to the scientific understanding of conjoined twins.

Later Years and Declining Health
By the early 1920s, the twins’ health began to decline. Historical medical reports indicate that Josefa developed a serious illness, later described in records as complications consistent with influenza or systemic infection, which were common causes of mortality at the time.

Doctors reportedly considered surgical separation as a theoretical option, but available medical knowledge and technology made such a procedure extremely dangerous. Separation surgeries involving shared pelvic structures had an exceptionally low survival rate during that era, according to surgical archives and historical analyses published by institutions such as the Royal College of Surgeons.

No surgical separation was performed.