Miracle Twins Born at 24 Weeks Beat the Odds to Survive and Are Now Thriving Toddlers

(Caters News)

Miracle twin boys from the United Kingdom who beat the odds to survive after being born at 24 weeks are proving that the abortion limit might need to be reconsidered. Their premature birth shocked their parents after doctors told them to prepare for the worst.

The tiny palm-sized twins Charlie and Harvey Baker were born in May 2017 and weighed 1 pound 6 ounces (approx. 624 g) and 1 pound 4 ounces (567 g) respectively. The brave boys astounded medical staff as they put up a fantastic fight, delighting first-time parents Luci Hall and Joseph Baker.

Charlie and Harvey were born prematurely at 24 weeks. (Caters News)

In many parts of the United Kingdom, abortions are carried out before the 24th week of pregnancy. In certain circumstances, abortions can occur after the 24th week if, for instance, the mother’s life is in danger or there is a high likelihood of severe disability in the unborn child, according to the National Health Service (NHS).

Caters News reported that the couple, who had been together for a while, found out that they were expecting a baby when Luci was six weeks pregnant. Then a week-12 scan revealed that the mom, from Leeds, was carrying twins.

During her pregnancy, the expectant mom became aware that the boys in the womb had a rare condition called twin-to-twin transfusion, which meant that there was uneven blood flow; thus, Charlie was getting more nutrition than his brother.

However, things took an unexpected turn when Luci’s water broke at 20 weeks, but she waited and gave birth only at 24 weeks. The full-time mom said, “When I went into labor, Joseph and I just weren’t prepared at all. It all happened so quickly.”

The twins were so tiny that they could easily fit in the mom's palm. (Caters News)

Due to how early the twins were born, both the parents were terrified with the thought of whether their newborns would survive. Sadly, after the twins were born, both Mom and Dad didn’t even have an opportunity to hold their two precious boys, as they were rushed to the intensive care unit.

Recalling the incident, Luci, who wasn’t able to think at that moment and was in shock, said: “We got to see them three hours later, and that’s when it really hit us. They were so tiny; you can’t even imagine a baby that small.”

She continued, “It was really frightening.” Due to how premature the twins were, Luci and Joseph were told their sons only had a slim chance of surviving. Doctors felt they should not look too far into the future and take it hour by hour.

(Caters News)

It was indeed a piece of devastating news for the new parents, who had to wait four weeks before they could finally hold their children. However, it was an important first step in their fight for life, which gave Luci and Joseph real hope that the twins were going to pull through.

In the months that followed, the baby brothers went through a serious of medical procedures, including seven blood transfusions, and they also suffered from bronchiolitis. By then, the two boys had been through so much in their tiny lives. “We were watching our babies fighting for their lives. You can’t explain what it’s like to be in that situation, it’s horrendous,” Luci said.

Luci holding both her twins. (Caters News)

In September that year, Charlie and Harvey could finally go home with their parents and be a family together, defying all odds and proving everyone wrong.

Luci said: “The thought of anyone getting rid of a baby that late is just awful. When I came home, I signed a petition to have it changed.”

She further added: “Seeing how well they’ve done does make you think about the abortion limit. I’d never even considered it before, I just accepted it.”

However, a month later, Harvey was readmitted once again to the hospital and was separated from his parents and baby brother Charlie. His mom shared that he had stopped breathing and his lungs became so weak that his tiny body wasn’t getting enough oxygen. “[T]he lack of oxygen meant he had become visually impaired,” Luci revealed.

For the next few months, the mom struggled between caring for Harvey in the hospital and Charlie at home. However, Harvey came back home in May 2018 after struggling for the first year of his life.

Charlie and Harvey at 15 months. (Caters News)

Their joy today is a far cry from the emotions that were flowing when the twins put in their unexpected arrival.

Today, the boys are 3 years old and have grown healthy and strong. The outcome for the twins has been nothing short of miraculous. A relieved Luci comments: “Every day, Joseph and I are shocked and amazed by how incredibly they’re both doing.”

The boys pulled through against the odds of survival and have raised a question if the abortion limit should be rethought of by lawmakers.

Charlie and Harvey at 15 months of age with their parents, Luci and Joseph. (Caters News)

“Harvey and Charlie are proof that a baby born at 24 weeks can survive,“ Luci said. ”I couldn’t be more proud of Charlie and Harvey, they’re my heroes.”

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