A PAIR of newborn parents have shared their unique labour journey after giving birth to twins – three months early and nine days apart.
Jo-Marie Senekal, 31, was embracing her first pregnancy, taking each step carefully to ensure everything would go smoothly.
Expecting twins – one girl and one boy – she and her husband, Hermanus, 35, had eagerly decorated the nursery months in advance for their arrival.
But they didn’t expect for them to be moving in so soon – and for one tot to come along after the other – with Michelle and Hermanus Jr entering the world nine days apart.
“How was I pregnant with two babies, but then gave birth to one and didn’t know when the second would arrive?” the admin clerk said.
“I struggled to wrap my head around it.
“Everything happened so fast.
“First, Michelle was born and I could see her only briefly before she was taken to an incubator.
“Then I heard that my little boy was too small and that he should stay inside for as long as possible to grow a bit more.
“I trusted my doctor and knew he was making the right decision.”
Jo-Marie, from Northern Cape, South Africa, was originally looking forward to having the weekend to herself, with her pregnancy only 28 weeks along and her husband on a hunting trip.
But while getting ready for work on 6 July 2024, she started experiencing some pain.
She said: “I thought: ‘This can’t be happening – I can’t be going into labour now.
“It was way too early.
“I put it down to Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labour, and set off to work.
“But the cramping continued, [so much so] that I called my mother-in-law and asked her to take me to the hospital.
“Hermanus had no phone reception, but as he reached the top of the mountain, he received a message to say I was in labour.
“He couldn’t believe it, either.”
Hermanus rushed to make the lengthy journey back home, but couldn’t help but worry about if he’d be welcomed with good news or bad news.
Jo-Marie said: “It was strange not to have him there, but it was clear the twins were well on their way.
“There was no explanation as to why I went into labour so early.”
As Michelle weighed only 940g, with Hermanus Jr even smaller, Jo-Marie was given medication to suppress the labour, as well as injections to boost his lung and brain development.
A few hours later, Hermanus arrived and recalls meeting his daughter – who was the same size as his hand – for the first time.
The family had to remain at the hospital, which was “heartbreaking” as Jo-Marie was unable to move and cuddle her newborn daughter.
But then, the contractions started again and little Hermanus Jr, weighing 1kg, finally entered the world – nine days after his twin sister.
Now, they’re progressing well in hospital, but the parents have been told it could be another three months until they’re allowed home.
Preterm birth, defined as childbirth occurring before 37 weeks of gestation, poses significant health risks for the baby. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risks, with those born before 28 weeks facing the most severe complications. These babies often require intensive medical care and may suffer from long-term health issues such as developmental delays, respiratory problems, and vision or hearing impairments.
Medical advancements have improved the survival rates of preterm infants, even those born extremely early. However, the likelihood of survival and the extent of health complications are closely linked to the gestational age at birth. Babies born between 28 and 32 weeks have a better prognosis than those born before 28 weeks, but they still face challenges and may need ongoing medical support.
Parents of preterm babies should be prepared for a potentially lengthy hospital stay and a range of possible health concerns. Early intervention and specialized care can improve outcomes, but it is crucial to monitor the child’s development closely. Understanding the risks and being informed about the necessary medical care can help parents support their preterm infant’s health and development effectively.
She added: “We weren’t ready for them at birth, but now we’ve got everything sorted, we’re ready for them to come home.
“The delay in birth is highly unusual, and I still can’t believe they’re considered medical miracles.
“Although Michelle is older, their birthdays will be celebrated together somewhere in the middle of their nine-day difference.
“We’ll definitely have one big birthday for them both, though.
“For now, our focus is watching over our precious twins as they get stronger.
“We’re so grateful for these two.
“They’re healthy and that’s all that matters.”
