Stay-at-home mum Jo Hayhoe has given birth to twins who were born on different days.
Jo, who lives in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was induced at 37 weeks with fraternal twins Bobby and Blake after planning a natural birth.
With seven kids waiting at home to meet their new siblings, Blake and Bobby, medics were confident the birth would go smoothly.
Jo, 38, ended up having the twins around half an hour apart, which means they have different birthdays.
She gave birth to Blake at 11.57pm on December 7 and shortly after Bobby arrived at 12.26am the next day.
Jo said: ‘It is nice that they now have the option to have their own birthday.
‘But I am going to alternate the birthdays until they are old enough to make their own decision.
‘They celebrated their first birthday together on December 7 – which is Blake’s birthday.
‘Next year, they will celebrate together on Bobby’s.’
Even though the labour went smoothly, the twins needed to be taken straight to the newborn intensive care unit after they were born.
Blake needed a lumbar puncture, and Bobby was born with an air pocket in his lung.
The brothers spent two weeks in hospital before they were able to go home and meet their siblings: Dan, 20, Riley, 17, Emily, 15, Sophie, 14, Jack, 11, Finley, six and Teddy, four.
All of the siblings thought it was ‘cool’ that the twins have their own birthdays.
Jo said: ‘I have heard of twins arriving on different days before but didn’t think it would happen to me.
‘I have basically been pregnant for a decade, and it’s always plain sailing.
‘The labour was fast and went smoothly but after was hard to deal with.
‘I had all of my kids at home and newest babies in the hospital – it was a tough time.
‘But it made their return home even more special.
‘Everyone was ecstatic to meet them.’
She says the family home is ‘manic but full of love’, adding: ‘My house can be crazy and loud at times but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘I am constantly washing clothes, folding and putting them away, but I am used to it now.
‘My husband Richard, 37, who is a landscaper, helps too when he isn’t at work.
‘I love being a mum of a large family, it’s all I have ever known.
‘Dan once said to me it’s great as they will never get lonely which was great to hear.
‘It can be hectic at times, and sometimes I just want to sit down, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
‘They give me a reason, I don’t know what I’d do without them.
‘I also love being pregnant, but the twins did take a toll on my body as they were big; Bobby weighed 7lb 2oz and Blake was 7lb 12oz.
‘But nothing beats that amazing feeling knowing you have babies growing in your stomach.’
