Twin boys born at just 24 weeks, described by their parents as “Christmas miracles”, have defied the odds and survived to celebrate the festive season with their mum and dad.
Kai and Maverick surprised their parents Troy and Laura when they arrived months earlier than expected. Mum, Laura, said that “everything was perfect” with the development of the twins until she went into labour.
The little boys weighed only 664 grams and 390 grams when they were born – just over a kilogram combined. At such light weights, the two boys, cared for at Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s Hospital, were only given a 3% chance of survival.
Kai and Maverick’s parents were told that if the boys did survive, they would have significant disabilities and would be very limited in what they could do.
Little fighters pull through
Dr Pita Birch, head of Neonatology at Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s Hospital, said that the boys fought against the odds and have done really well.
“Being as small as they were, being twins and being born extremely prematurely, those little boys fought the odds really to pull through and do as well as they have done”.
“Babies under 500 grams have a lot of challenges to get to be at the point where we are talking about planning their discharge home”, he said.
“We just did not think they would make the progress that they would… but they’re very stubborn, from their dad, very stubborn little boys and we can’t wait to have them both home and settled and together, and watch them run amok”, their mum said.
For his part, dad, Troy, said “They’re my Christmas miracles, that’s the best gift I could ask for. It’s not what’s under the tree, it’s who’s around the tree”.
Spokesperson for Right to Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “Kai and Maverick’s birth at 24 weeks, fully formed, acts as a moving reminder of the humanity of babies inside and outside the womb at all ages”.
“We are so delighted that these little boys overcame expectations and have celebrated Christmas with their parents. What a wonderful Christmas gift for the family to share together”.
