PREMATURE twins who were born five days apart have beaten the odds to stay alive.
The pair — delivered after just 23 weeks — are among the youngest to survive in Britain.
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Twins Albert (left) and Molly (right) have beaten the odds to stay alive despite being born at 23 weeks
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Dolly weighed just 1lb 1oz when she was born at 23 weeks and one day
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Albert was born five days after Dolly and weighed just 1lb 6oz
Dolly weighed just 1lb 1oz when she was born at 23 weeks and one day. Five days later Albert arrived, at 1lb 6oz.
The twins are now home with parents Shona Jeffery, 27, and Darren Turrall, 24.
Dental nurse Shona went into labour at 22 weeks six days and doctors at Darent Valley Hospital, Kent, said the tots were too young to save.
Shona, of Swanley,said: “They are definitely our two little miracles.”
Her pregnancy had been developing fine, when she went into early labour at just 22 weeks and six days.
After rushing to her local hospital, the couple were to prepare for the worst.
Medics at Darent Valley Hospital said the babies were too young to save.
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Parents Darren Turrall, 24, and Shona Jeffery, 27 in hospital with their tot
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Shona was told by medics that the tots were too young to save
Shona, 27, said: “They said there was nothing they could do for us and sorry that we had lost our babies as they was under the 23 weeks.
“They had no facilities to help if they arrived. They would just pass them to us once they had been born and they then put us in a room for this to happen.”
Miraculously, despite her waters breaking and contractions starting the tots did not arrive.
As the clock struck midnight they were given a glimmer of hope.
The pregnancy had reached 23 weeks – one week shy of the 24-week legal limit for abortions in England and Wales.
Doctors said they were willing to intervene and there was a slim chance they could save them.
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Albert at just four days old on a ventilator at Brighton Hospital
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Dolly on a ventilator aged six week after heart surgery
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Dolly just after being born at Brighton Hospital in November last year
The couple agreed medics could treat their babies if they were born alive.
They gave Shona a steroid injection to help boost the twins’ delicate lungs and she was sent by ambulance to Brighton Hospital.
The couple were warned that the babies would not stand a chance if they were born during the journey.
Shona, from Swanley in Kent, said: “Thankfully, we made it there fine.”
Two teams of specialists were on standby to treat the tots and rush them to intensive care.
Dolly was delivered a day later, on November 11, and was well enough to be treated.
Then to everyone’s surprise, Shona’s labour stopped. Medics said she could deliver the second twin at any time – and may even go full term.
Five days later, Albert arrived following a natural delivery and was also taken to intensive care.
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Albert was born five days after Dolly and placed on a ventilator
Medics said it is exceptionally rare for twins to arrive so far apart.
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Albert aged four days old with the ventilator at Brighton Hospital
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20The first time parents Shona and Darren held Dolly, aged six weeks
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Twins Dolly (top) and Albert (bottom) aged three months old
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20The twins are now living with their parents Shona and Darren
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Mum Shona says it was a struggle watching her babies fight for their life every day in hospital
Shona said: “That was when the real battle began. Watching them fighting for their life each day.
“But every day they grew a little bit more and became a little bit stronger.”
At six weeks Dolly needed surgery to fix a hole in her heart, and both twins have had surgery on their eyes.
In March, Albert, the stronger of the twins came home.
And last month, to the family’s delight Dolly also left hospital.
Darren, a landscape gardener said: “Against the odds our little miracles have survived and shocked everyone and have come home.
“Every doctor we have spoken to said we should count our lucky stars. They are just so precious to us.”
Dr Asma Khalil, a spokesman for Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association), said: “The fact that these babies are now doing well is incredible.
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Dolly (right) was released from hospital last month
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Shona holding one of the premature nappies and dummy
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20The twins were born under the 24 week abortion limit
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20Medics told Shona it was exceptionally rare for twins to arrive so far apart
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20The 27-year-old sees Dolly and Albert as her ‘little miracles’
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD20She also said every doctor she has come across has told her ‘count her lucky stars’ after her twins defied all odds
“Twin pregnancies delivered at 23 weeks would have far poorer chances of survival compared to a singleton pregnancy.
“Of babies born at 23-24 weeks, only about 50 per cent would survive and 50 per cent of the survivors would have some sort of disability.
“It would be fair to say that in circumstances where twins are born this early, most doctors would be preparing the family for the worst.
“So the fact these babies are now doing well, months on, is incredible.”