Tiny premature twin babies who were born at only 29 weeks gestation have defied the odds thanks to a life-saving twin cot.
Marcus and Macie Lee, from Glasgow, were born prematurely after their mother, Jennifer Prior, developed complications during her pregnancy at 20 weeks gestation. Hospital staff warned that the children were likely to be stillborn. However, fortunately, this was not the case and the tiny babies were born weighing only 1lb 3oz and 2lb. Even though they had made it safely out of the womb, they had to spend the first ten weeks of their lives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Glasgow Children’s Hospital.
Thankfully, after receiving round-the-clock care from medical staff, Marcus and Macie were able to leave the hospital after three months. “As time went on they thrived more and more with very little complication”, Jennifer said. “Being told the worst was likely to happen…then for the complete opposite, felt like a miracle”.
“I’ll never forget the feeling of thinking I wouldn’t leave without my babies. I was there day and night… hoping someone would give me some hope and confirmation they would survive”.
New co-sleeping cot made a “massive difference” to the babies’ chances of survival
The newborn twins were the first to use the hospital’s new co-sleeping cot, a medical development which medics believe “made a massive difference to their progress”, according to their great-grandmother Yvonne Prior. “I have never seen a baby so small so it was very emotional. I was very scared and worried but I was in awe of the nurses working with them – they were amazing”, she said.
The co-sleeping cot was designed to help twin newborns in several ways, by strengthening their bond and improving their development. The cot can be adapted with heat mats for each baby if needed, and can be tilted to ease reflux, a common condition in premature babies.
The twins’ great-grandfather, Peter Prior, has shown his gratitude to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital by cycling to raise funds for their charity. The 69-year-old has so far raised almost £2,000 for the charity. “We are overwhelmed with the support and never expected it”, Yvonne said. “We want to do our bit to make sure the charity can fund even more specialist equipment”, she added.
Medical advancements are improving premature babies’ outcomes
Just as Marcus and Macie’s treatment was aided by the specialist co-sleeping cot, which they were the first to use, many premature infants are increasingly surviving due to medical developments.
A number of key studies in recent years have documented the improving outcomes for these extremely premature babies. A 2004 Swedish study found that neonatal survival outcomes between 22 and 25 weeks gestation significantly improve when neonatal hospital staff take a proactive approach in the care of premature babies.
A 2008 study based on a neonatal intensive care unit in London also found that neonatal survival rates at 22 and 23 weeks gestation had improved. In 1981-85, no babies who were born at these gestational ages survived to discharge. However, by 1986-90, 19% did and this increased to 54% in the period 1996-2000.
A study in 2022 found almost four out of five babies born prematurely between 22 and 28 weeks gestation survive to discharge from the hospital. It found that from 2013 to 2018, with infants born between 22 and 28 weeks gestation, “survival to discharge occurred in 78.3% and was significantly improved compared with a historical rate of 76.0% among infants born in 2008-2012”.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “Marcus and Macie’s inspiring story highlights how medical advances are supporting premature babies to survive and thrive. Congratulations to the family, and to Peter for raising funds for such a worthy cause”.
