The tiniest miracles
At home with mum, the UK’s smallest twins
BORN at 23 weeks, doctors gave them little chance of staying alive.
And yet these two tiny boys defied the odds to become the tiniest twins ever to survive in the UK.
Joe and Ashley Keates both weighed less than a tin of beans and could fit into their mother’s hand when they were born in April. Their eyes were still fused shut.
Doctors at Southmead Hospital in Bristol rated their chances as little as 1 per cent. But, after 129 days in intensive care Ashley, who was born at just over 14oz and Joe, born at a fraction over 15oz, are now fighting fit and living happily at home.
Their mother, Talia Keates, describes them as her ‘one in a million’. They are thought to be the smallest twins ever born in Britain, overtaking Rylea and Robyn Comer who were born in 2017. Rylea was 15oz while sister Robyn was slightly heavier at 1l b3oz. Mrs Keates, 32, who has four other children, told The Sun: ‘Ashley and Joe are my bouncing little miracles. I feel extremely lucky and grateful. I guess they are my one in a million.’
Doctors were most worried about Joe after his amniotic sac, which was not shared with his brother, burst and both boys were born.
He was given just a 1 per cent chance of survival and Mrs Keates was told by a consultant that it was rare for both to pull through.
She said: ‘Studies have also shown premature boys are less likely to do as well as girls. It just goes to show what incredible fighters they are.
‘With all these terrible predictions we just had to focus on each day and each milestone.’
The brothers were born on April 16 and are now back home with
Mrs Keates, their father Oliver, 35, and four older siblings in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
The boys still need regular checks and remain on extra oxygen for the time being. Joe weighs 11lb and Ashley is just under 8lb.
Keith Reed, of Twins Trust, said: ‘Ashley and Joe are the smallest we have heard of in the UK. It’s great news to hear that they are doing so well.’