Bransholme mother's twins were born weighing 2lb ... now they're coming home
THEY were born more than three months early, fighting for their lives.
Tiny, vulnerable and each weighing less than 2lb, it was feared twins Ronni Mae and Lexi Rose Docherty would not survive.
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THRILLED: Claire Wingfield and Paul Docherty with photos of their twin daughters Ronni, left, and Lexi, who were born weighing just 2lb. Below, the twins now weigh 6lb and will soon be allowed home. Main picture: Kate Woolhouse
But soon, the sisters are expected to be allowed home thanks to the care provided by staff at Hull And East Yorkshire Women And Children's Hospital.
It is a moment parents Paul Docherty and Claire Wingfield cannot wait for, as it will mean they can be together as a family at home for the first time.
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Claire, 30, said: "When I first saw them, I didn't think they would make it.
"It was so scary going in the room to see them.
"They didn't even look like babies when they were first born and you could almost see through their skin.
"But they are chunky now and, even though they are only 6lb, that is amazing compared with what they weighed before.
"The staff at the hospital saved our daughters' lives."
Claire, of Bransholme, began to experience stomach pains on June 10 and went to the women and children's hospital in Anlaby Road, west Hull.
Her babies were not due until September 26, but she was told she was 8cm dilated and the labour could only be delayed, not stopped.
For the next four days, Claire had to stay on a tilted bed and have steroids in an attempt to slow the labour down and allow the twins' lungs to develop as much as possible.
She gave birth to Lexi naturally at 9.03am on June 14. Lexi weighed just 1lb 8oz.
Claire was then taken to theatre, as she was struggling to deliver Ronni and it was thought she may need a Caesarean section.
But the baby girl was born breech at 9.36am, weighing 1lb 11oz.
The girls spent two months in the neonatal intensive care unit, receiving support to help them breathe.
However, Ronni needed extra help, as well as laser eye surgery, as it was feared she could be left blind without it.
Paul and Claire were unable to hold their daughters for three weeks but have visited them every day to be by their side.
Claire said she is counting down the days to taking her daughters home, with everything prepared for their arrival.
"I'm a bit nervous but excited," she said. "Everything is ready for them.
"It's going to be mayhem when they come home, but in a good way.
"It has been a rollercoaster, with so many ups and downs. But I can't wait for them to come home.
"It will definitely be worth the sleepless nights and I'm looking forward to the family meeting them for the first time."
Claire said the girls, who are not identical, have started to develop their own personalities.
"I think Ronni is going to be the feisty one because she keeps pulling Lexi's hair," she said.
"Lexi tries to eat Ronni's hands, so she is the hungry one."
As the couple prepare to begin family life together, Claire said she will never forget the hospital staff.
"They are amazing," she said. "You can't put into words how good they are. They have been fantastic with us and I would like to say a massive thank you to them."
Comments
by angryangie
Friday, September 28 2012, 1:14AM
“well said lexiandronni my daughter-in-law also gave birth on 10th june to identical twin boys weighing 1lb 7oz each being only 25 weeks, sadly we lost one of our boys chance after 30 mins ,the staff on the neonatal unit did everything possible to save both babies but because of the twin to twin transfusion being so severe we were lucky to have one surviving twin his name is coady but i call him my miracle baby,like claire and paul my son daniel and daughter-in-law leah spent every day at the unit ,we also had many ups and downs but like the little fighter he is he pulled through them all and on tues 25/9/12 we finally got him home ,we cant thank the doctors and nurses enough for what they have done ,but once coady is settled we intend doing some fundraising for the unit ,my grandson shared a room with lexi and ronni so my son daniel and leah have a special bond with the girls they also have a special friendship with claire and paul which has continued since coady came home and once the girls are home im sure they will be visiting each other .so all our love claire to you ,paul and those two gorgeous girls lexi and ronni and hope they are home soon love from janice xxx(coadys nanna )”
by suzey48
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 10:51PM
“@ work4aliving....theres ALWAYS at least ONE who has to put a downer on things and be negative. Though to be frank, I just skimmed through your post due to bad grammar and lack of punctuation. All I will say in response to you, is that theres a massive difference between 23 weeks and 32 weeks in terms of baby's development.
Personally, after all the 'bad' news we're subjected to on a daily basis, It's heartwarming to read a good news story like this. Even for someone without kids, I can imagine what a rollercoaster journey this couple have been on and how ecstatic they must be feeling to be finally getting these little fighters home. So huge congratulations to you both.
Andyoffshore......congratulations to you and your partner. I imagine that a story like this means even more to you in your situation, but your little girl is in the best handsand it wont be too long before youre taking her home too x”
by suzey48
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 10:50PM
“@ work4aliving....theres ALWAYS at least ONE who has to put a downer on things and be negative. Though to be frank, I just skimmed through your post due to bad grammar and lack of punctuation. All I will say in response to you, is that theres a massive difference between 23 weeks and 32 weeks in terms of baby's development.
Personally, after all the 'bad' news we're subjected to on a daily basis, It's heartwarming to read a good news story like this. Even for someone without kids, I can imagine what a rollercoaster journey this couple have been on and how ecstatic they must be feeling to be finally getting these little fighters home. So huge congratulations to you both.
Andyoffshore......congratulations to you and your partner. I imagine that a story like this means even more to you in your situation, but your little girl is in the best handsand it wont be too long before youre taking her home too x”
by suzey48
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 10:50PM
“@ work4aliving....theres ALWAYS at least ONE who has to put a downer on things and be negative. Though to be frank, I just skimmed through your post due to bad grammar and lack of punctuation. All I will say in response to you, is that theres a massive difference between 23 weeks and 32 weeks in terms of baby's development.
Personally, after all the 'bad' news we're subjected to on a daily basis, It's heartwarming to read a good news story like this. Even for someone without kids, I can imagine what a rollercoaster journey this couple have been on and how ecstatic they must be feeling to be finally getting these little fighters home. So huge congratulations to you both.
Andyoffshore......congratulations to you and your partner. I imagine that a story like this means even more to you in your situation, but your little girl is in the best handsand it wont be too long before youre taking her home too x”
by paulstevo77
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 2:27PM
“Huge congratulations to the whole family, and well done girls for keeping up the fight xx”
by donray
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 1:40PM
“Hull Daily Mail do get in touch with people for storys, we all know the is premature babies born everyday and we know what there going throught is very hard, this sort of story gives people the hope what some people need. Good luck to both the parents and many thanks to the staff xx”
by BroughGurl
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 1:29PM
“How lovely, and what a nice change to read something positive about our hospital care and nursing staff. Makes a change from having to read about a mum who NEARLY gave birth in a toilet and tried to blame the care staff. Good luck to these babies and their parents and God bless the nursing teams.”
by india7
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 1:27PM
“WOW, and twins - twice the handful !
It is obvious to see that they will both be very much loved and well taken care of...
Best of luck, make sure you enjoy it.”
by Lexiandronni
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 12:45PM
“Slightly different situation 32 weeks is pretty good for twins and can I say that I am fully aware that there are many more people going through the same situation as I did meet many parents on the ward aswell as reading all of the success stories on display. I am more than happy to share my story with the hull daily mail, why wouldn't I be my baby girls have made it and we're overjoyed, this also gave me the opportunity to praise all staff on the neonatal unit and for people to recognise that this unit exists as I'm sure you will be aware being on the unit yourself not a lot of people are aware. Proud mummy of Lexi and Ronni.”
by amelia1212
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 10:02AM
“Ah that's a lovely story, those nurses are worth their weight in gold, all the best x”