Two sisters who’d both been trying for a baby, were amazed when they ended up giving birth to baby girls on the same day in the same hospital.
Jenna Whelan (31) and Jess Taylor (23) from Yorkshire, UK, both gave birth after being induced a day after each other.
The siblings were in the same room and helped each other through their contractions.
The pair, who found out they were pregnant four days apart, said the experience has brought them even closer together as sisters, with mom-of-three Jenna helping Jess through her first pregnancy.
Jenna gave birth to Annie Whelan, who weighed 3,1 kg, at 3.15am on Friday 15 February, while Jess had Marnie Prescott (2,7kg) at 10.45pm on the same day.
“We never imagined they would have the same birthday. We didn’t think about it. It’s bizarre and still doesn’t seem real,” Jenna says.
“It feels magical – that they were born on the same day and that they’re both girls.
“Our family is over the moon. They’ve been buying them the same outfits.
“They’ll grow up to be more like sisters than cousins. They’ll end up being in the same class at school,” she adds.
“I was discharged first and when Jess was discharged, she came to mine so Annie and Marnie got to meet each other straight away.
“We got a picture of them looking like they were holding hands. They bonded straight away.
“It’s lovely. Jess lives five minutes away so we spend a lot of time together. We talk every single day. We’ve always been close and this has brought us closer.”
Jenna says both she and Jess had been trying to get pregnant for a few months.
“Jess found out first on 19 June [2018] and she couldn’t believe it. She had to do three tests just to make sure.
“I couldn’t stop crying when I found out, I was so proud of her. I knew it was what she’d always wanted.
“I had to wait a bit longer to take the test so I found out four days later. I didn’t want to jinx it by doing a test too early. It was the longest week of my life.”
Jess hopes the two cousins will have a strong connection growing up together.
“It was amazing to meet Annie for the first time. I was scared though because I was thinking it was my turn next,” said Jess.
“Jenna was discharged about 1.45pm and at 2pm I went to the labour ward. After six hours Marnie was born.
“It’s so special to think they’ll be growing up together.”
Source: Magazine Features
Pictures: MERCURY PRESS/WWW.MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA