Premature Twin’s Final “Hug” Comforts Parents After Heartbreaking Diagnosis
Amy and Conor Campbell welcomed non-identical twins Charlotte and Esme at 26+5 weeks in July 2016. Esme seemed stronger at first in the NICU, but devastating scans showed severe brain fluid buildup with no hope for quality life.

Before withdrawing support, nurses placed both tiny girls on Amy’s chest for their first and last meeting. In this poignant moment captured on August 27, 2016, Charlotte gently wrapped her arm around Esme—like a loving goodbye hug.
The twins were christened the next day; Esme passed peacefully in her mother’s arms on August 29. Charlotte thrived and went home on their due date.

“Despite the devastation, that moment felt so right—a picture of pure love,” Amy shared.
Honoring Esme, the family founded Campbellinas to support neonatal care and Amy’s blog This Is My Brave Face helps others through infant loss.
A timeless image of sibling love amid heartbreak