ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When Hana and Nala Nava were born at Mission Hospital, each weighed barely more than a pound. At just 23 weeks, they faced a long fight to survive.
More than a year later, the twins are growing and doing well, according to Mission Health. On Friday, Nov. 13, they returned to the hospital to visit some familiar faces.
There were hugs, smiles and plenty of excitement as hospital staff gathered around the girls, who spent the first six months of their lives in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“They’re beautiful,” one person exclaimed.
The conversation quickly turned to how much the twins had grown, right down to their new teeth.
It was a far different scene from Sept. 17, 2025, when Hana and Nala arrived weighing just 1.2 and 1.5 pounds.
More than 30 medical professionals were involved in their emergency delivery, with separate teams caring for each baby and their mother.
Today, Hana weighs nearly 17 pounds, while Nala weighs nearly 14 pounds.
For their mother, Tracy, returning to the hospital was a chance to thank the people who helped her family through those difficult months.
“We really appreciate every bit of what they did,” she said. “They smile, comfort you, encourage me.”
The bond she formed with the hospital staff went beyond medical care.
“I love every nurse and every doctor,” Tracy said. “We don’t have words to say how much we appreciate everything they did. They became a family for me.”
The twins’ story comes during Prematurity Awareness Month. Sunday, Nov. 15, is World Prematurity Day, an observance that draws attention to babies born too early and the challenges they and their families face.
Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered premature. Those born before 28 weeks, like Hana and Nala, are classified as extremely preterm and face greater risks of serious medical complications.
Mission Hospital operates a Level III neonatal intensive care unit that provides specialized care for critically ill and premature newborns.
More than a year after their uncertain arrival, Hana and Nala were back at Mission Hospital — this time for hugs, smiles and a chance to show their caregivers just how much they’ve grown.