Little miracles : identical twins born 51 hours apart

The identical twin boys were born in August last year, giving their mum two labours .

Hayley Phillips knew she was blessed with twins, which meant she would get two babies through one time's labour. She never expected that her two naughty boys wouldn't work coorperately- in fact, after giving birth to her son Ryan, it took a further 51 hours - and a second labour for Miss Phillips- the other one Lewis eventually made his way into the world.

The twins - who as well as being born on different days also have different star signs - are now set to mark their first birthday, with Ryan, a Leo, celebrating tomorrow and Lewis, a Virgo, two days later on Tuesday.

Miss Phillips, 24, a manager with Lloyds TSB, was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital on August 23 last year after experiencing labour pains 11 weeks early.She said,'They look the same but they couldn't be any more different.'

Ryan's born was really a miracle. At first, Miss Phillips was thought to have a mild water infection and was sent home, but just minutes after arriving at her house in Pallion Park, Sunderland, she went into labour with her partner Craig Selbie, 32, by her side.

Ten minutes later, Ryan was born on the bathroom floor, weighed 2lb 14oz. Miss Phillips was then readmitted to hospital, where doctors prepared for Lewis's birth.

But as the minutes ticked by, nothing happened.

'As soon as I got to the hospital it was like I hadn't even given birth,' Miss Phillips said.

'All of the pains stopped and I felt fine. I spent the next two days visiting Ryan in the neonatal unit with Lewis still inside me, which was very strange.

'I was looking at Ryan in the flesh while holding a scan of his twin brother in my hand.'

After two days she was sent home again only to go into labour soon afterwards. After six hours, Lewis was finally born, weighing 3lb 3oz.Another miracle, isn't it?

Despite the two labours she had gone through, Miss Phillips is now more than a happy mom.'It was such a blessing to be able to hold them together. They're fighting fit now and have grown well. They've both been little miracles.'

That's the two boys, they have different birthdays, different star signs and if Lewis had been born a few days later he would be in a different school year.

(Edit:Ruby)