A first time mum was amazed to giver birth to her twins two days apart.
The little boys from Swinton, Greater Manchester, now have separate birthdays in an unusual twist of fate.
Joanne Reilly, 32, was shocked when her waters broke at 24 weeks.
But that wasn’t the only surprise as she only gave birth to one twin at first.
Dylan was born on January 10, 2019, weighing 1lb 10oz and then labour suddenly stopped.
Medics hoped Joanne would be able to carry the other baby full term as he was in his own sac and able to survive alone.
But two days later, the police officer, from Swinton, welcomed Oscar on January 12 weighing 2lbs.
She said: “I had a lovely pregnancy and I was enjoying every second as everything was running smoothly with no cravings and barely any sickness.
“I had a scan a week before my waters broke and everything was fine so I was very confused and panicked when my waters had broke at 24 weeks and five days.
“I went straight to St. Mary’s Hospital with my partner Anthony, 44, and a few hours later - I was in labour.
“Dylan was born at 4.43am but he was in a poor state and needed resuscitating for 30 minutes.
“We almost lost him which was very traumatic.
“It was so strange as I was focusing on him but also bracing myself to push again but hours passed and nothing happened.
“Time passed but nothing happened and the doctor said I have to stay on strict bed rest to try and keep the other baby in for as long as possible.
“I was shocked as I didn’t know know that was possible. In a way, I just wanted Oscar to come too as it felt weird having one but not the other."
Joanne was unable to visit Dylan in NICU but was given an iPad to watch him in the incubator.
Oscar was born at 10:39am at 25 weeks.
She said: “I really wanted to see Dylan but I knew I had to follow the doctors orders to do what is best for Oscar.
“Every hour counted towards his development so it was vital for me to stay on bed rest to ensure he was given the best chance.
“Fortunately, he was born without any health complications.
“We always say the extra two days did Oscar the world of good as he had zero complications and was taken off the ventilation first.”
Joanne described them as ‘delicate and poorly’ when she first held them after two weeks.
The twins were put into a cot with one another for the first time after three months in NICU.
Joanne worried they may not form a special bond having spent so much time apart.
But now, 19 months on, they are thriving and have an unbreakable brotherly bond.
She said: “We are very fortunate to have had premature babies who had no health complications.
“But in NICU you can’t help but feel lonely, like you are the only one going through the worry and stress.
