A pair of miracle twins were born so tiny that they were put into sandwich bags to mimic their mother’s womb.
But thanks to quick-thinking doctors, Zaki and Malika Ridge are thriving and will celebrate their first birthday on Saturday – which it was feared they would never see.
Mum Rifit Akram said: “They were so tiny in their sandwich bags.
“To be celebrating their first birthday is such a big milestone after what they have gone through.
“It’s a day we worried might never come but they both pulled through. We’re so proud of them.”
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Zaki and Malika arrived three months early on July 17, 2020, weighing just 2lbs 10oz and 2lbs 5oz.
And when doctors realised the twins would struggle to keep warm, they came up with the idea of using food bags.
They protected their fragile skin during their seven weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit.
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Police detective Rifit, 41, and husband Barry Ridge, 37, were not able to see their tots for two days due to the pandemic amid fears the newborns might contract Covid.
The couple were instead sent photos of the twins in incubators at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, Beds.
Rifit said: “There were wires everywhere. When we were able to see them I just had to hold their hand through the incubator.”
Malika came off oxygen within a week but Zaki took a month longer, battling a high heart rate and blood transfusion.
Rifit said: “I asked them to keep them together as much as possible.
“Malika was brought over to see her brother every day. She kept him strong and alive.”
The twins were eventually discharged from hospital on September 12, when they finally met their older sisters Amira, nine, and five-year-old Miley.
Rifit became pregnant through IVF in January last year but suddenly felt unwell in July.
Her pregnancy was classed as high risk and the hospital asked her to come in straight away.
The twins were born four minutes apart by caesarean.
Rifit said: “I couldn’t see them when they were born but I heard them cry. That was a relief.”
The twins now weigh 20lbs and their bond is just as strong.
The family is planning a big party with the theme of kids’ TV show Cocomelon.
Police officer Barry said: “It’s a very emotional moment to see them a year on, when just last year they were fighting for survival in tiny sandwich bags.”
