A woman who found out she was pregnant at the same time as her mum has shared how they went through their pregnancy journeys together, even throwing a joint baby shower for friends and family.
Melanie Warburton, 44, returned from her six-week scan in June 2018 to tell daughter Keesha Warburton, 24, the happy news - just as Keesha herself had taken a positive pregnancy test.
The mother and daughter duo supported each other right the way through their respective pregnancies, attending appointments together and heading out on shopping trips for baby clothes and essentials.
Trainee teaching assistant Keesha welcomed her baby brother just two weeks before giving birth to her son, and describes the experience as "a little bit bonkers but just amazing".
Keesha, from Atherton, Greater Manchester recalled: "I came down the stairs with a pregnancy test in my hand and there was my mum with a scan in her hand."
Melanie and her husband William Warburton, 36, Keesha's stepdad, had been trying for a baby after she got her tubes untied and discovered she was expecting in May 2018.
Before she could reveal her exciting news, however, Keesha whipped out her pregnancy test, prompting Melanie to joke, "I can't have anything for myself".
The close-knit pair spent nine months preparing for their new arrivals together, and both found out they were expecting little boys.
Keesha, who has been with a stay-at-home dad partner, Callum Pearson, 23, for six years, said: "I had suffered a stillbirth previously so it was amazing having my mum telling me everything was normal or okay.
"She'd feel the baby move and then two weeks later I would. We just went through everything together."
Stay-at-home mum Melanie, 44, said: "It was wonderful but because of the hormones we both had we did rip into each other a few times."
On January 14, 2019, Melanie was taken to have a C-section at Bolton Royal Hospital, Greater Manchester, after suddenly going into labour three weeks early.
Melanie gave birth to Grayson, her third child, January 15 at 4.08 pm, weighing 6lbs 7ozs. Keesha was able to hold her new little brother after the birth, just two weeks before she was induced on January 29.
With mum Melanie at her side as a birthing partner, Keesha gave birth to her son Carter, also now four, at 10.55 am, tipping the scales 5lbs 4oz.
Despite being uncle and nephew, Grayson and Carter are said to be more like "brothers" or "best friends", and both boys "bounce off each other" really well. The pair are even set to start school together in September, a prospect that Keesha describes as "so lovely".
Keesha reflected: "To get a little brother and have my own son at the same time was incredible. A little bit bonkers but just amazing The two boys now get on amazingly and have even worn matching outfits for Halloween."
Just two months after giving birth to Carter, Keesha discovered she was pregnant again, this time with twins. She welcomed Lottie and Louis, now three, on January 7, 2020, on the day of her 21st birthday, in the very same room she herself was born.
She added: "It's been amazing seeing how well Carter and Grayson get along. They had every milestone so close together. It has been so lovely to see."
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