Mum's joy as tiny twins beat deadly condition to make their first Christmas

28 December 2023 , 09:41

1076     0

Nine-month-old Olive and Penelope Casling have beaten all the odds to be here after having twin to twin transfusion syndrome, which can be fatal (Image: Supplied by Kate Skelton)

As Holly Casling wraps the presents and prepares for her identical twins’ first Christmas she can hardly believe this moment has come.

Nine-month old Olive and Penelope Casling are happy and healthy but the death-defying twins have beaten all the odds to be here. Holly, 32, was 16 weeks pregnant when doctors told her and husband Jack, 37 there was a problem with the blood supply between the babies. Tragically, there was a high chance one – or both of them – would die.

“I’ve always loved Christmas and New Year,” says Holly. “We’d just had a lovely Christmas and we were planning to go to a NYE party in France with friends. "

But Holly and Jack never made it to France. A routine scan a couple of days after Christmas revealed the twins had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) – a life-threatening condition that causes abnormal blood flow between two babies, resulting in uneven development.

Little Olive and Penelope Casling 'looked so small and fragile' during their hospital treatment (Supplied by Kate Skelton)

Holly Orton was 16 weeks pregnant when doctors told her and husband Jack that there was a problem with the blood supply between their babies (SUPPLIED BY kate skelton)

The condition was advanced and there was a 40% chance of one baby surviving, a 40% chance of both surviving and a 20% chance of losing both of them. It was devastating news for Holly and Jack who had struggled with infertility for years before the twins were conceived via IVF.

Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report

Holly recalled how she and Jack broke down in the waiting room. “I was absolutely terrified”, says Holly. ‘I couldn’t believe it. One minute I was packing for the New Year’s Eve party and the next this. We’d just found out the gender and I’d already pictured my life with my longed-for girls.’ Doctors explained that Holly would need emergency surgery to give the babies the best chance – but the surgery was risky and there was a chance neither would survive.

“I’d been so excited about New Year – then suddenly we were facing this,” says Holly. The couple were given the option to have a termination. But the parents from York were aghast. “How could we choose which twin to save?” says Holly. “The thought of one baby without the other was inconceivable. We’d been through so much to have these babies and both agreed we had to give them a both a chance.”

Holly replaced her New Year’s resolutions, with a desperate New Year’s wish: ‘I want to meet my babies. Please let my babies live.’ In early January, Holly had emergency laser surgery. Surgeons carried out a complicated procedure to disconnect blood vessels in order to more evenly distribute nutrients to each baby.

The surgery was successful but Holly was warned there was risk of premature labour. And Holly went into labour at 26 weeks – 14 weeks early. Olive and Penelope were born at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital by emergency C-section and weighed 770g and 900g.

“I had a quick first cuddle with Olive – but Penelope needed help to breathe and they were both rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit” (NICU) said Holly. “They looked so small and fragile. I felt overwhelmed by all the wires and machines keeping hem alive.”

Holly and Jack Orton with their miracle twins (SUPPLIED BY kate skelton)

Blood tests revealed that Holly had sepsis – which had probably triggered the premature labour. She spent each day beside their incubators, expressing milk and learning how to care for her baby twins. “The hospital staff were absolutely amazing – they were so kind to us and showed me how to tube feed them, change nappies, how to take their temperatures and how to comfort them. I was able to visit them in the middle of the night.

“It was three weeks before I was able to hold them both together. Their heart rates calmed as they lay side by side in my arms. There was an instant twin bond,” she recalls.

Both twins were doing well - but just as Holly and Jack started to believe they were out of the woods both Olive and Penelope were diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis NEC – a potentially fatal condition. “For the second time we faced losing both our babies,” said Holly. “I couldn’t believe it- first TTTS, then being born three months early and then NEC. How much could our family take?”

But incredibly both girls beat the odds and after nearly 100 days in hospital (three months) they were able to go home. Both Olive and Penelope are now thriving. “They are such happy, giggly girls,” says Holly. “They share a cot and love to hold hands, it’s incredible to see their special bond.”

Holly’s stepson George, 11, like to cuddle and read to them and Holly says the family are excited about their first Christmas with her girls.

'I tricked my sister into giving her baby a stupid name - she had it coming'

"We put the tree up early in November and they love watching the lights on the tree. I’m so excited about visiting Santa. They are getting a toy kitchen for Christmas and will each have a tiny stocking. After so many Christmases spent wishing for a baby I am now looking forward to our magical first Christmas with our girls.”

If you are a parent of twins, Twins Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to improving the lives of families with twins, triplets or more. Visit twinstrust.org for details.

Kate Skelton