Queensland mum Stephanie Holt was six weeks pregnant when doctors told her she was expecting twins.

The Brisbane mum, who has two older sons, Madden, 6, and Scout, 3, said she was “surprised” when doctors told her another two were on the way.

“I was thinking one has to be a girl for sure,” Ms Holt laughed.

Ms Holt, 33, welcomed babies August and Rafferty via an emergency cesarean seven weeks early at Mater Mothers’ Hospital on 30 September 2022.

Shining a spotlight on Multiple Birth Awareness Week (17-24 March), Ms Holt said the twins were born within one minute of each other, with August arriving first at 7.56pm weighing 2.5kg, followed by Rafferty at 2.3kg.

Ms Holt went into labour after experiencing severe cramps earlier that morning.

“August’s placenta was coming before him, so they had to get him out quick,” she said.

The Carindale single mum said life was busy with four boys under the age of six.

Ms Holt said her newborn sons, who are now almost 18 months old, had difficulty breathing and spent seven weeks in the Neonatal Critical Care Unit where they received around-the-clock care by a multidisciplinary team.

“I didn’t get to cuddle both the boys together until they were six weeks old – that’s a long time for a mum,” she said.

“August was on oxygen for about 15 months and has ongoing heart and lung issues,” she said.

She described her household as “chaotic and busy” but wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The bond Rafferty and August share is incredible. They just bring love and light when they are together,” Ms Holt said.

Mater Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch said there were more than four sets of triplets born at the hospital last year, and little August and Rafferty joined more than 100 sets of twins.

Dr Birch said it was amazing to see the duo thriving after spending more than two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.