Twins born just two minutes apart have two different birthdays after they were delivered either side of midnight. Kara Penfold, 29, welcomed little Nico and Lleucu into the world at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital after travelling 100 miles from her home in Aberystwyth.
Nico was born at 11.59pm on April 8, weighing 4lb 12oz, with Lleucu following shortly after at 12.01am on April 9, weighing 4lb 9oz. The twins were delivered eight weeks early following a planned c-section and arrived on a Friday and a Saturday giving them different birthdays.
Kara decided to travel over the border into England to give birth after a previous traumatic experience involving the loss of her first child. Following this she was introduced to family friend Dr Lucy Morse, a consultant obstetrician at New Cross who has helped her through subsequent pregnancies.
Kara and husband Sam are already proud parents to children Ralffi, four, and Dyfi, three, but sadly lost their first son Arthur in 2017. Kara said: “We had quite a bad experience which resulted in the loss of our son, shortly after I delivered.
“This broke down all trust between myself and the NHS and left me very anxious when we found out soon after Arthur's funeral that I was pregnant again. I had no idea what to do. Being type 1 diabetic I knew I needed special help with my pregnancy, although the idea of going back to where we lost Arthur wasn't an option for us as a family.
“My husband Sam’s auntie works as New Cross as a breast feeding specialist and mentioned Dr Lucy Morse, consultant obstetrician, to us. I reluctantly came to have a first scan at the hospital before meeting Lucy, and falling in love with her.
“She reassured me with her empathetic and human nature and I left my first appointment with her feeling like maybe I would actually be lucky enough to become a mum after all. Lucy had read my notes so thoroughly I felt like she knew me better than any doctor I'd ever met.
“We continued to travel to our appointments in Wolverhampton throughout my pregnancy with Ralffi; by the end of the pregnancy I felt I knew everyone on the team. From the receptionists to the consultants, the doctors to the midwives and I even had a good relationship with the anaesthetist who I'd met prior to the spinal anaesthetic and delivery.
“The continuity of care and the team morale at New Cross is what's kept me coming back for three pregnancies. If I lived in Australia I would have still travelled to New Cross for my care.
"This has been my easiest pregnancy as I was relaxed and knew I was in good hands with the team at Wolverhampton. All the staff have been so kind and incredible. I am so grateful.”
Lucy Morse, consultant obstetrician at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “Kara offered to teach on our diabetes study day for midwives which we run three times a year. She highlights the importance of listening to women’s concerns, and clear and compassionate communication.
“Along with another of our mums, this session is always the most highly rated and 'listen to women' is the take home message our midwives leave with. We’re so grateful to Kara for all her input.
“Good teamwork has ensured a positive journey for Kara at New Cross maternity. We are fortunate to work alongside an excellent team of diabetes consultants and specialist nurses, in particular Brett Healey who has worked hard to support Kara with the management of her diabetes.”
