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Most parents shed a tear when their children start school, but there will be twice as many for mum Emily Goldman when she waves off twins Eadie and Quinn on Tuesday.
The identical girls were born nine weeks’ premature at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in November 2020 after a pregnancy during which both girls’ lives were at risk.
Eadie and Quinn are monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins, which means they shared the same placenta and amniotic sac – a condition that affects just one per cent of all twins and around one in every 50,000 births.
During their mum’s pregnancy, the twins faced the constant danger that their umbilical cords could become fatally entangled.
Thanks to the expert care of the Mater Maternal Fetal Medicine team, the girls were safely delivered and then transferred to the Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) for eight weeks of round-the-clock specialist care.
“It’s going to be a very bittersweet moment when they start school,” said Mrs Goldman, of Toowoomba.
“I think I’ll be the one struggling. We’ve been together since day dot, so it will be a huge adjustment for us, but the girls are so excited to be going to big school.”
Her pregnancy is still a vivid memory for Mrs Goldman, 30, and husband Dylan, 29.
“It was a very daunting experience,” Mrs Goldman said.
“At 26 weeks we came close to be being helicoptered to the Mater from Toowoomba, but thankfully we made it to 31 weeks before the doctors decided the girls had to come out.”
The pregnancy and birth came amid Queensland’s COVID lockdowns and restrictions, with Mrs Goldman having to be masked and alone for pre-natal appointments in Toowoomba, although her husband was able to be by her side at Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
Despite their early delivery, Eadie and Quinn have no long-term health issues and their progress has impressed doctors at post-prematurity check-ups at Mater.
The Goldmans have since added boys Beckett, 3, and Arlo, 1, to their family.
While the girls dote on their little brothers, there is nothing like the special bond the twins share.
“They are two little best friends and do everything together,” Mrs Goldman said.
“Watching their relationship bloom has been wonderful – but their personalities are completely different.
“Eadie is a firecracker, very loud and boisterous, while Quinn is a sweet soul who’s relaxed and calm.”
Their dad is equally excited to see his girls start Glenvale State School this week.
“I can't help feeling like it was only yesterday that we were spending every day in the NCCU caring for these fragile, tiny babies,” Mr Goldman said.
“To see them off to school next week has me feeling equal parts proud and excited, but also sad to know they have grown so fast and that time really is a thief."
The girls are among around 12,000 Mater babies born in 2020-21 who will be starting prep across Queensland this week.
Mater Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch congratulated Eadie and Quinn on their special day.
“MCMA twins are very rare and present special challenges for medical teams and their parents,” Dr Birch said.
“It’s great to see Eadie and Quinn thriving and excited to be heading off to prep.
“We wish them and all Mater babies the very best for their first year of school.”
