Topics: Parenting
Twin sisters who fell pregnant around the same time gave birth in the same hospital just days apart.
Laura Jopson, 35, found out she was pregnant a few weeks before her sister Claire - and neither knew the other was trying for a baby.
The siblings were delighted to experience pregnancy together and were due to give birth five weeks apart - but that all changed. Watch their little'uns playing below:
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Laura's son Henry was born on 12 February, 2021, and while she was still recovering at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, Claire was admitted and welcomed little Olive into the world on 15 February.
Laura and Claire, both travel bloggers, gushed that it was great being in hospital at the same time and learning the ropes of motherhood together.
Claire shared: "Laura told our parents a few weeks before I told them, and they weren't shocked at all when I said I was [pregnant] too.
"My dad said to me 'well Laura told me a few weeks ago, so of course you are too!' That probably sums up our relationship!"
According to Laura and Claire, close births are actually quite common amongst twins.
"Not every pair of twins have their babies close together, but we've definitely heard lots of similar stories," Claire explained, adding: “Maybe not as close as three days apart, but certainly only a few months."
Despite being in the same hospital at the same time, Laura and Claire didn't see much of each other because of covid restrictions.
However, towards the end of their stay, the midwives allowed the twins to meet up once a day.
"They made it their mission to get us to meet late at night in a common room, which was nice," said Claire.
"Being able to text each other pictures of our hospital food at 1:00am was really comforting, just knowing we had each other there."
Laura and Claire also spent much of their time together while they were both on maternity leave, with the latter sharing: "It was nice to spend time with someone you know so well who has a baby exactly the same age.”
The twins said most of their friends’ reactions were positive, but some did offer cautious words of support.
"Some of our friends thought it was simply the best thing ever," said Claire.
"Whereas others were just a bit worried that we'd always be unintentionally comparing how we do things as mothers. Thankfully, we've never compared each others mothering techniques.”
