Two Far North Queensland women have both welcomed twins born on separate days during an extraordinary four-day period at Cairns Hospital.
The first pair of twins were born late on Friday, 28 August and in the early hours of Saturday, 29 August, while the second set arrived late on Sunday, 30 August and early on Monday, 31 August.
August was a particularly busy month for multiple births at Cairns Hospital, with the arrival of nine sets of twins throughout the month.
Cairns Hospital Birth Suite and Maternity Assessment Centre Maternity Unit Manager Martine Tidcombe said it had been an exciting time for the maternity team.
‘Around Australia multiple births make up only about 2-3 per cent of births, but to have twins with two different birth dates is incredibly rare,’ she said.
‘Welcoming two sets of twins in just two days is incredibly special, and we are pleased to have supported these women and their families as they welcomed their babies.’
One of the mums Tessa Boseun welcomed daughter Eileen at 11:52 pm on 30 August weighing 2.16 kg, with son Xavier arriving just 17 minutes later at 12:09 am on 31 August weighing 2.76 kg.
The Weipa woman has been staying in Cairns for the past three weeks awaiting the twins’ birth and went into labour on Sunday.
‘I kept asking what time it was after Eileen was born,’ she said.
Ms Boseun and Xavier were able to be discharged a few days later.
With a 10-year-old daughter already at home who was also born in August, Ms Bousen said it was going to become a hectic month for birthdays.
‘I was shocked when I found out it was twins,’ she said.
‘But the care I have received both at home in Weipa and here in Cairns has been really good.’