A brave Scots mum has told of her agony after taking only one twin home from the hospital having giving birth prematurely at just 24 weeks.
Donna May Calgie had the bittersweet moment of her baby son Reggie finally going home after 127 days in the care of nurses and doctors, but sadly without his identical brother Sonny who didn’t make it after the pair arrived early.
The 35-year-old, from Cumbernauld, was left shocked after giving birth to both twins four months before her August due date.
Sonny Cairns weighed just 1 pound and 5 ounces while brother Reggie weighed 1 pound 6 ounces after being born on April 19 at Wishaw Neonatal unit.
But tragically, at just five weeks old, Sonny suffered a brain bleed and passed away leaving his heartbroken parents distraught.
Reggie also had ‘scary moments’ leaving his parents fearing the worst - but he managed to make a full recovery and finally made his way home two weeks after his original due date on August 23.
Now Donna and partner Andy Cairns, 35, are taking comfort in knowing they will see how Sonny would have grown up, as he would have been identical to Reggie.
Donna told the Daily Record: "It has been such a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm so happy to have Reggie but devastated at losing Sonny.
"I was so thankful to walk out the hospital with my baby boy but I knew I should have two wee faces with me, it's heart-breaking.
"I would give Reggie my life. He is a total miracle baby and I am going to give him the best life possible.
"Sonny fought so hard and if he got tired in the end that is okay, I am so proud to be his mummy."
Donna had been at her caravan in Stirling when she first felt slight pregnancy pains in April.
When she soon suffered bleeding, she took herself to Wishaw Neonatal Unit where they confirmed she was in labour and had to deliver four months early.
The determined mum managed to successfully give birth naturally to both boys just 10 minutes apart, but due to their small size complications followed.
Then tragically on May 26, Sonny died and his shattered parents began planning his funeral for June 3.
The family decided to wear yellow and ‘celebrate’ his short life and have vowed to never forget him.
Donna said: "It was the most difficult thing planning and having Sonny's funeral.
"We all wore yellow to celebrate him, that is my favourite colour.
“I am trying to remember I am so lucky to at least take Reggie home some people don’t even get that.
“Reggie has passed his hearing and eye tests so we think he will be totally fine.
"He needs 24 hours oxygen at the moment but hopefully will be off it by Christmas time.
“He has fought so hard and really smashed it. I am so proud of him.
“He is an incredible wee baby, he means the world to me.”
Donna and Andy have hailed the ‘special’ staff at Wishaw Neonatal Unit who went ‘above and beyond’ for the family.
Donna added: “The staff at the hospital are really special people, they were really there for us.
“We couldn’t have visitors because of Covid but the hospital teams were always so supportive and helpful, it meant a lot.“
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