Each and every day we’re treated to an insight into the miracle that is life. You might not notice it every day, but it’s there.
In any case, we think we’ve found today’s offering in the form of two premature twins born the same size as a bottle of Fanta. They’ve finally been able to go home, after more than a whopping 1,000 hours in intensive care.
According to reports, Elizabeth and Etta Kearns-Turner were born nine weeks before their due date after their mom went into labour on August 25. Elizabeth weighed just 2lbs 11oz and Etta 2lbs 10oz.
Neither of the girls’ lungs had developed properly before birth, meaning they had to be kept in a neonatal intensive care united for six weeks. Needless to say, it was a worrying time for their family, but the twins have now been allowed to go home.
The girls have joined mom Suzy Kearns-Turner and dad Mick, along with two other elder siblings in Blackburn, England. Despite their long stint in hospital, they’re actually home three weeks before their due date.
Proud Suzy, now a mom-of-four, said: “When the twins were born, they were so tiny they could fit into our hands. It was terrifying not being able to bring them home – at one point I thought I was going to lose Etta.
“I remember sitting with them one day, drinking a bottle of Fanta. I realised that they were the size of my bottle. It isn’t until you have a comparison that you realise just how tiny they are. But thanks to the wonderful staff in NICU, we can finally be a family at home.”
Suzy said she felt had a feeling of growing anxiety ever since she was told she was carrying twins. She was so convinced she wouldn’t carry the babies to full term that she went shopping with her husband for clothes in smaller sizes just the day before she unexpectedly went into labor.
“I just knew something would go wrong”
“I kept telling my husband they’d end up in there. I just knew something would go wrong but he thought I was just overreacting,” she said.
“The day before I went into labour, some part of me knew I wouldn’t be able to carry them to term, so I dashed out to get smaller baby clothes. I just had this feeling I couldn’t ignore.”
Suzy woke the next morning to strong contractions. She and husband Mick went straight to the hospital and within an hour she was told she would need to have an emergency caesarean section.
Elizabeth was born first, with Etta following two minutes later. The twins were soon whisked off to intensive care, before Suzy could hold them.
Now, after a gruelling 1,058 hours in intensive care, the twins are heading home, and Suzy couldn’t be happier.
“When I found out we could all be together I just cried. I was so happy to bring them home,” she said.
Suzy, we’re so happy both of your girls are healthy and able to go home. How incredible it is that babies can now survive such setbacks!
A big thank you to the medical team that made this possible.
Share this article to wish the twins – and indeed their family – well!
