FIRST-time parents from Mount Beauty say they were “terrified” when their twins were born three months premature, but on Saturday the little miracles celebrated surviving their first year of life.
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Mum Gemma McGruddy was flown to Melbourne after her water broke when she was just 25 weeks’ pregnant.
At the time she and fiance Will Thorn were told the chances of the twins surviving was 65 per cent and even if they did survive there was a 50-50 chance of severe disability.
“I had never even heard of pre-term premature rupture of membrane, I hadn’t even got that far into the baby books, it was just so early and unexpected,” she said.
“It was terrifying but we didn’t really know any better and it’s amazing now looking back at what a gift it was — they are miracles.”
Twins Amelia and Adrian spent their first three months in hospital, but despite all the risks they have grown into happy and healthy one-year-olds.
Ms McGruddy said she had Wodonga Special Care Nursery, the Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Mercy Hospital Melbourne, Ronald McDonald House and family and friends to thank for getting them through the past year.
“A year ago we wouldn’t have thought we would make it to today, it seemed way too out of reach and we were taking things day by day,” she said.
“It was too scary to look too far ahead.
“Their corrective age is nine months, which is calculated from when they should have been born, and they have reached all the milestones for a baby that age.
“They eat solid food now, which in itself is amazing because they were tube fed in hospital – we don’t take those things for granted.”
The average baby birth weight is seven pounds five ounces, but Adrian was born weighing one pound 11 ounces and Amelia was one pound eight ounces.
“The length of Amelia’s arm was the size of my index finger,” she said.
“I was proud to be a mum but it was a shock to see what they looked like.
“Their skin was still translucent, they were covered in premi-hair and their heads looked a bit squashed.”
Friends and family turned out to the family home to celebrate Amelia and Adrian’s birthday.
Mr Thorn said the party was to celebrate not only the birthday but also their survival.
“All the stress was worth it and we are very lucky,” Mr Thorn said.
“Most parents say the time flies by so quickly but really this has been the longest year of our lives.”
