Holly Leighton and Emma Robinson saved for IVF treatment and were told they had miscarried – but a scan revealed healthy twins
Two mothers have joyfully welcomed twins just ahead of Christmas following IVF treatment. Holly Leighton and Emma Robinson put aside funds to receive fertility support at the London Women’s Clinic in Darlington.
The couple initially feared their first attempt had ended in miscarriage. Their disbelief turned to elation when a scan disclosed they were expecting twins.
The boys, who are named Hudson and Finley, were scheduled to arrive on December 22. Instead, they made their entrance at 34 weeks on November 13.
Holly, who carried the babies using Emma’s egg, expressed: “We feel really lucky, it’s just perfect for Christmas. It’s the perfect gift. It’s going to be so magical.”
She continued: “We were expecting them to be in hospital for Christmas so it’s crazy that they got out so soon. Watching them together is so cute. They look for each other when they’re separated and they cuddle into each other”, reports Chronicle Live.
“We have really enjoyed being in our little bubble. Our families have been able to meet them and it’s been really nice. We’ve just been absolutely loving it.
“Everyone has been really positive. Everyone loves them. We’ve told the IVF clinic that we’ve had the twins. They’re so excited to meet them. They’ve been a part of the journey as well.”
Holly, originally from Hartlepool, and Emma, who hails from Winlaton Mill in Gateshead, have been partners since 2018. They started putting money aside for IVF and approached the fertility centre to discuss their options in September 2024.
Holly, employed in support services, explained: “We have both always wanted to be mams and we spoke about it from the beginning. We had to know we wanted to be together first and save which took a while.”
The couple visited a clinic in September 2024 for initial consultations, scans and tests, though Holly didn’t begin the actual process until February. She added: “We wanted to be the healthiest we could be to have the best chance.”
Opting for shared motherhood, the pair used Emma’s eggs whilst Holly carried the pregnancy. Through the clinic’s referral to London Sperm Bank, they carefully selected a donor based on health factors and physical resemblance to themselves.
Reflecting on the selection process, Holly admitted: “It took us ages, we didn’t know who to pick. That was probably the thing that took us the longest, it’s a big decision.”
After undergoing treatment costing between £10,000 and £15,000, the couple discovered they were expecting after four weeks. Yet their joy turned to anxiety when Holly experienced heavy bleeding at five weeks, raising fears of pregnancy loss.
Holly recalled: “We were testing all the time earlier than we should of. There wasn’t anything at first but then we started to see a line gradually appear. We didn’t believe it for a while.”
She continued: “We got the confirmation at about four weeks. Then when I was five weeks I had a heavy bleed so I rang an ambulance and my sister’s boyfriend took me to the hospital.”
Describing the distressing hospital visit, she said: “I got told it was probably a miscarriage and to go home and grieve. The next day I phoned the IVF clinic and they said you need to have a scan.”
Holly and Emma, a care assistant, visited North Tees Hospital in Stockton for a scan they feared would confirm a miscarriage, only to discover they were expecting healthy twins.
Holly shared: “In the waiting room you see all these happy couples going in for their scans and we were confirming it was a miscarriage. We were really upset it hadn’t worked. We had had such a horrible night.”
She continued: “When we got in there there was a heartbeat – there was two! It was such a shock. We couldn’t process it.
“We were going to the scan expecting to find it was a miscarriage and it was twins! It was rare that we got twins from one egg.”
At their 20-week scan, Holly and Emma learned they were having twin boys. Holly expressed: “We were excited that we knew what they were so we could start planning.”
Despite a challenging pregnancy, Holly planned for a c-section on November 26. However, she began experiencing pains on November 13 and went to the hospital for a check-up.
Midwives found that Finley’s heart rate was dropping and advised an immediate operation. “Hudson was born weighing 4lb 4oz and Finely weighed 3lb 8oz.
Reflecting on the experience, Holly said: “I didn’t really get to process any of it, it was so quick. It was really emotional seeing them for the first time after everything we had gone through to get them here.”
She added: “The next day Finley got put into special care for two hours. He couldn’t keep his temperature. He was so cold so they had to heat him up.
“We went home and the next day we were back in hospital. The twins couldn’t keep their temperatures so we were in hospital another night.
“They’re doing better now and they’re feeding much better. We had to wake them up all the time to feed them.
“Now they’re waking us up and putting on lots of weight.” The couple, who live in Peterlee, County Durham, are now eagerly anticipating their first Christmas as a family of four.
Holly added: “We feel so lucky that it happened so quickly. I know people personally where it has taken them a lot longer.
“”It’s not an easy process but have hope, stay positive and have support around you.”
