Having children can be anything but plain sailing as Jane Croad and David Protheroe are well aware when, 2 years ago, their two daughters were born only 37 weeks apart... At 38, Jane Croad wanted to have children - desperately. After one miscarriage, the couple thought well, maybe that's the way it was to be. Then Jane became pregnant, felt marvellous and everything appeared to be going well, until the 27th week. Out shopping with her mother, Jane suddenly found herself in terrible pain and was taken straight into the labour ward.
David says, "I had a phone call from Jane's mother. It was a classic conversation starting, 'Now don't panic, everything's going to be all right." After 5 days in hospital Jane gave birth to Elizabeth, "She was absolutely tiny - 2lbs 10oz. She didn't look like a baby at all. They put her in my cupped hands just for a second." David describes his first impression of his daughter, "Purple! And very small."
Elizabeth was very delicate, and Jane and David lived in rooms near the specialist ward for 8 weeks after the birth. The couple, aided by a very supportive hospital staff, were always positive. Elizabeth made excellent progress. "She came home on August 1st, before her due date in September!" says Jane.
Then, two months later, Jane became pregnant again. It was a difficult time. Jane was sick continuously, and at 21 weeks she was in pain and once again in hospital. Jane was far more concerned this time because Elizabeth had arrived so early. Her fears weren't misplaced. The hospital told her she was in labour and if the baby arrived, there was nothing they'd be able to do for it.
A couple of days later, whilst in the loo Jane shouted to David to get someone - fast! "I could feel a limb of the baby. If I'd heard this story I'd think the person was raving. It just doesn't happen. But it did. It was the worst day of my life!" David and Jane's second daughter was born in less than two minutes, 17 weeks early, weighing 1lb 3oz. Whisked away to the paediatric ward, it was weeks before the couple were even allowed to hold their child.
"Her chances of survival were not that good - about 1 in 30," explains David. But Isabelle was taken home on 2nd July, 4 months after her very premature birth.
Against considerable odds, the girls are well and happy, as are their parents who feel that two, almost twin daughters, are quite enough, thank you.
