Miracle twins of Christmas

Premature twins . . . Daisy Eleanor

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IT was the Christmas gift that kept on giving for new parents Kieran and Charlotte Royales.

Tiny twins Daisy and Eric were determined to make a festive appearance despite being four months early ­- but they weren't born minutes apart, there's over two-and-a-half days between this adorable dynamic duo.

Dainty Daisy Eleanor made her entrance at 12.23am on Christmas Eve weighing just 1lb 3oz.

But her little brother Eric James wasn't in that much of a hurry and didn't put in an appearance for another 63 hours, arriving at 5.18pm on Boxing Day, weighing 1lb 6oz.

Despite being born at just over 23 weeks into the pregnancy the babies are doing well at Royal Oldham Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.

Dad Kieran (38) and mum Charlotte (34), from Shaw, who are both teachers at Middleton Technology School, certainly weren't expecting their extra special Christmas presents or the drama which brought them into the world.

Following a routine scan last Wednesday all was well. But then things started to go wrong, explained Kieran.

"Later that night Charlotte had a bit of back pain," said Kieran, a design, technology and engineering teacher.

"The next morning the pain got worse so Charlotte called the midwife and was told to take paracetamol.

"By 4pm on Friday it was quite bad so we were told to go to the antenatal unit where she was monitored.

"Things started moving so Charlotte was taken to the labour ward at 10pm and Daisy was born two hours later.

"The midwife had popped out to get something and Charlotte's waters suddenly broke so I pulled the emergency chord and seconds later there was a host of midwives, doctors and other medical staff in the room.

"It happened so quickly. It was a bit like when you see a pebble skimming across the water and Daisy bounced out on to the bed!"

After being checked over Daisy was immediately taken to intensive care but there was no sign of Eric.

On Christmas night Charlotte began to feel unwell and she was quickly induced into labour on Boxing Day morning with Eric being born 10 hours later.

"It was thought Daisy's placenta was blocking Eric's exit so once Charlotte's temperature and blood pressure started rising they acted straight away," added Kieran.

"Again her waters broke but Eric was determined to hang on in there and took a while to appear. Both of them were crying when they were born and that was such a relief.

"Obviously, they are very premature and the whole experience has been very traumatic for us both. Charlotte has been incredibly brave and strong throughout. The toughest part for her was not being able to see Daisy for three days as she couldn't go down to the ICU before Eric was born. All she had were the pictures and videos I took to show her.

"But we've both been down there and have been able to touch them now and Charlotte has been able to give them breast milk.

"We just pray every day that they are getting healthier and stronger. All the signs are good."

"It seems strange that they're twins but Daisy has already had her first Christmas where as Eric won't have his until next year.

"We want to say a big thank-you to all the staff at the hospital who have been absolutely amazing. Every single one of them has been fantastic and given up spending Christmas with their family to help me with mine. I can't thank them enough.

"I'd also like to say how great our family and friends have been throughout it all, especially Charlotte's mum, Audrey Duckett. It's been a crazy but amazing Christmas."