'I didn't believe it until they were born' - mum tells of joy at birth of 'rainbow twins'

Stacey had been through a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnany.

An Edinburgh mum has told of her joy and disbelief after giving birth to two ‘rainbow babies’ during lockdown.

Stacey Moriarty, 30, said she didn’t believe her babies would make it after suffering a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy and the loss of one of her unborn triplets.

She had been in hospital several times during her most recent pregnancy, and was told at 16 weeks that doctors didn’t think her twins would survive.

Stacey Moriarty with twins Kendall and Kreed.

But on May 5 Kendall and Kreed Moriarty were born, and both are now healthy and doing well.

Stacey, who has a 10-year-old son, Aaron, had been trying for another baby for several years.

She got pregnant in 2018, but found out at eight weeks that it was an ectopic pregnancy.

In January 2019 she became pregnant again, and all seemed fine when she had a scan at six weeks.

But just before 12 weeks Stacey began bleeding, and she subsequently had a miscarriage.

At that point she stopped trying for another baby, so was surprised when in October 2019 she was told she was pregnant with triplets.

She was afraid to tell anyone the good news however, as the doctor told her she may lose one of the triplets.

She was given the news that this had happened at a 10-week scan.

Doctors also said they were concerned about one of the remaining twins, as the baby was growing more slowly and may not survive.

However two weeks later a scan revealed that both babies were doing well.

Stacey was not out of difficulty however as at 16 weeks she began contractions and doctors said she may lose both babies.

Stacey was told to take a break from her job as a carer due to the physical nature of the work, and was told to rest.

When she went into labour at 28 weeks hospital staff managed to stop it using hormones.

Finally, at 37 weeks Stacey gave birth to two healthy babies.

“I was in and out of hospital the whole pregnancy,” she said.

“I didn’t believe I was pregnant until the first baby was born – but they’re definitely here!

“Because I had had so many problems I genuinely thought they weren’t going to make it, even though I could see their heartbeats on the scans and I could feel them moving and kicking.”

Stacey was taken into hospital again two days after the birth, and underwent an operation to remove part of the placenta.

She was asked for her consent to have a hysterectomy if the surgeon could not stop the bleeding, but this did not prove necessary.

“I told them to do whatever, I needed to survive, I’ve got three kids depending on me now,” she said.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it or not.”

Stacey was discharged and is now healthy and well. She has been supported during lockdown by her mum, Amanda, who has ‘been there since day one’.

“It’s taken its toll and I find it difficult sometimes, but I’m find and the babies are fine,” Stacey added.

“They really are miracles.”