‘Miracle’ twins Lucas and Bailey ready to celebrate first Christmas

Gold Coast twin brothers Lucas and Bailey Edwards will celebrate their first Christmas at home together after spending several months in separate Queensland hospitals fighting for their lives.

The now 10-month-old identical twin boys were born 13 weeks early at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane on 1 February and have battled major health issues since.

Ashmore couple James Edwards, 44, and his partner Casey 41, have a combined blended family of eight children and said the early arrival of their twins had been “challenging”.

“It’s been a real rollercoaster – very emotional,” Mr Edwards said.

“To look at them now and think where they were just a few months ago is incredible.”

Bailey weighed 994 grams when he was born, and Lucas just 740 grams, said Mr Edwards.

“Mater helped save our babies and we are eternally grateful to have them here with us on Christmas Day,” he said.

While in utero Bailey and Lucas were diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) at Gold Coast University Hospital, a condition that can affect identical twins when they share one placenta.

They also had Twin Anaemia Polycythaemia Sequence (TAPS), a variant of TTTS in which blood flows unequally through the shared placenta and results in one baby having a low blood count (anaemia) and the other baby having a high blood count (polycythaemia).

Due to the complexity of their condition, Mrs Edwards was referred from Gold Coast University Hospital to Dr Glenn Gardener, Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist and Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Mater Mothers' Hospitals.

Mr Edwards said doctors had advised the couple the twins’ chances of survival were low despite having TTTS laser surgery to stop the uneven blood flow between the two babies.

“Their case was complex,” Mr Edwards said.

“Dr Gardener attempted the laser surgery, but due to the high risk of one twin dying in-utero, it was decided that the best chance of survival for both babies was to deliver the twins prematurely by caesarean section.”

Within days of the attempted laser surgery, Mr Edwards said his partner went into early labour and they were both scared about losing their sons.

“We lost a baby last year and Casey was just devastated and scared about losing both the boys,” Mr Edwards said.

A multidisciplinary clinical team cared for Lucas and Bailey for two weeks in the Neonatal Critical Care Unit at Mater Mothers’ Hospital before they were separated – Lucas remained at Mater and Bailey was transferred closer to home at Gold Coast University Hospital.

“Casey drove day in and day out every day to see her boys,” Mr Edwards said.

“I know how much she was driving because I had bought a new car to bring the twins home in - she had clocked up 15,000km in the time they were in the NCCU.”

He said that after both boys left Mater, Lucas was diagnosed with aortic stenosis, a heart valve disease in which the valve between the lower left heart chamber and the aorta is narrowed and doesn't open fully.

This reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to the aorta and to the rest of the body. Lucas was transferred back to the Mater NCCU where he was cared for until he was big enough to undergo heart surgery.

He has now had two major life-saving heart surgeries at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Mr Edwards said on 5 December, Lucas had a G-button (feeding tube) inserted at Gold Coast University Hospital after doctors found he was not gaining weight.

“Every time they take your baby away from you it feels like an eternity.”

Bailey was born first and intubated to assist with his breathing. He was also diagnosed with polycythaemia, and a cardiac issue, but has been progressing well since his time at Mater.

Mr Edwards said he felt lucky to have his family home for Christmas and would cherish their time together.

“The boys are home and enjoying life,” he said.

“Bailey is quickly tipping the scales at 6.7kg, and Lucas a little slower at 5.09kg, but it’s good to have everyone home together – it’s been quite a while.”

 

Pictured: Twin brothers Lucas and Bailey Edwards.