For the first time, a mother was taken aback when twins arrived two days apart. An odd turn of events has resulted in the boys from Swinton, Greater Manchester, having different birthdays now. When her water broke at 24 weeks, 32-year-old Joanne Reilly was shocked. She initially gave birth to just one set of twins, but it wasn’t the only surprise. On January 10, 2019, Dylan was delivered, weighing 1 lb 10 oz, and then labor abruptly came to an end. The remaining child is in Joanne’s pocket and can thrive on its own, so the doctors are hopeful that she will be able to carry it to term. However, on January 12, with a weight of 2 lbs, the Swinton officer welcomed Oscar two days later.
“I had a beautiful pregnancy and I am loving every moment,” she said. “There are no cravings and hardly any symptoms of sickness.” I was quite confused and terrified when my water broke at 24 weeks and 5 days because I had an ultrasound a week before it did, and everything seemed great. I immediately went to St. Mary with her 44-year-old partner Anthony, and a few hours later I gave birth. Dylan was born at 4:43 in the morning, but it took 30 minutes to revive him because of his dire condition. It was so painful that we nearly lost him. It’s odd because even when I’m focused on him and mentally ready to push things along, hours pass with nothing occurring. Time passed but nothing happened and the doctor said that I had to lie in bed on strict rest to try and keep the remaining baby there for as long as possible. I was shocked because I didn’t know it could happen. In a way, I just want Oscar to come too because it feels weird to have one without the other.”
Joanne was given an iPad so she could keep an eye on Dylan in the incubator even though she couldn’t visit him in the NICU. At 25 weeks gestation, Oscar was delivered at 10:39 a.m. She remarked, “I’d love to see Dylan, but I know I have to go by my doctor’s recommendations in order to do what’s best for Oscar.” Every hour counts toward his development, therefore I needed to be in bed rest to give him the greatest opportunity possible. He fortunately had no health issues when he was born.” We’ve always maintained that Oscar benefited from the extra two days because he experienced no difficulties and was the first to be taken off the ventilator.” When Joanne first felt them in her hands, she characterized them as “fragile and ragged.”
For the first time in three months in the NICU, the twins were placed in a crib together. Joanne is concerned that after spending so much time together, they might not develop a special bond. But today, 19 months later, they are thriving and have a strong brotherly bond. We are quite blessed to have prematurely born children who have no health issues, she remarked. But in the NICU, you can’t help but feel alone and like the only person experiencing tension and anxiety.
