First birthday celebration for premature Bristol twins who beat the odds

Twins who were born more than three months prematurely are today celebrating their first birthday.

Isabella and Eliza Lemin weighed less than 2lbs when they were born but are now catching up with babies a few months younger than them.

Mum Rebecca went into labour unexpectedly 25 weeks into her pregnancy, before she had even visited a maternity unit or attended antenatal classes.

She had been warned that their chance of survival was about 50 per cent before they were born, but it went up to 70 per cent once they had arrived.

The twins were rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Southmead Hospital after their birth.

But there was no such drama expected today as they celebrated their first birthday at home in Westbury-on-Trym with their mum, dad Neil and a few family friends.

The twins were first allowed home on Christmas Day – 11 days after they had been due to be born – and on December 29 went home for good after spending their first 119 days in hospital.

Isabella and Eliza were still on oxygen when they left hospital but have been breathing on their own for months now.

The youngsters had to be kept away from groups of youngsters in the winter so they did not pick up any viruses while they were vulnerable but now enjoy attending a gym club in Henleaze and a local twins club.

Isabella weighed 1lb 14oz when she was born and now weighs more than 21lbs while Eliza has grown from 1lb 9oz to about 17lbs – about right for babies due in mid December.

Mrs Lemin, aged 30, said: "They have done really well.

"We have been very lucky because babies born before 26 weeks are not always as healthy as the girls are at the moment.

"When I knew I was about to give birth this time last year I didn't think they would make it, or both would make it. It is nice to get this year milestone over and done with in some ways.

"We have survived the first year and we can probably survive anything now after that.

"It was a traumatic day for me but I cannot look back on it as bad. I am happy to celebrate because I have got two lovely girls out of the deal."

Mrs Lemin said the girls have developed their own personalities, with Eliza more spirited, noisy and happy to play by herself for hours while Isabella is quieter and more affectionate.

The family has had support from the hospital's community nursing team and a charity called Home Start, which provided someone to help care for the twins so Mrs Lemin could get a break.

And the twins will continue to be monitored closely by the team at Southmead Hospital who will keep an eye on their development.

Mrs Lemin, who plans to return to her job as a public care consultant but has not fixed a date yet, said: "When they first came home it was very weird.

"I think what kept me going was having them home, and knowing it could not be like having them away from me in hospital.

"It has been lovely having them in our own home, being in our own house.

"At times I woke up and thought I still had to drive to the hospital though."

There will be birthday cake and champagne for their parents to celebrate the milestone their little daughters have reached.