Edinburgh Royal Infirmary served as the backdrop for this exceptional birth. The twins’ weight was so substantial that it left seasoned medical professionals in awe. In fact, each twin individually outweighed the average newborn, with Troy tipping in at 8 pounds and 12 ounces, while his brother Kaius wasn’t far behind at 8 pounds and 1 ounce.
Alanna, a 33-year-old student doctor, proudly bears the title of the twins’ mother. Her family has a unique history of twins, and during her pregnancy, routine check-ups indicated that these babies were destined to be larger than usual. Yet, even armed with this knowledge, the twins’ actual size managed to astonish everyone present. Alanna’s baby bump was unmistakably substantial, drawing the attention of strangers who marveled at her size and couldn’t help but inquire if the birth was imminent.
The twins’ record-breaking feat surpassed a previous record held by Maya and Ollie Kennedy, who clocked in at 15 pounds and 14 ounces during their 2010 birth. On a broader scale, the heaviest twins ever recorded in the entire UK were born in Lancashire in 2007, weighing a jaw-dropping 18 pounds and 12 ounces.
For Alanna and her partner, the arrival of their twin sons carries a profound and touching significance. They had endured the heartache of losing their first daughter, Aubyn, who sadly passed away shortly after birth. Interestingly, Kaius bore a striking resemblance to Aubyn when he was born, creating a heartwarming connection that brought solace to the grieving family. One of the community midwives even remarked that having twins felt like a reunion with Aubyn and that the boys were helping to mend the family’s wounds.
Back home, the twins find themselves embraced by the loving care of their one-year-old sister, Ayla. Despite the normal weight loss experienced by newborns in their initial days, Troy and Kaius are thriving. They exhibit a calm and content demeanor, relishing the warmth of cuddles from their doting parents.
Shona Finch, the acting clinical manager for maternity at NHS Lothian, expressed her astonishment at the rarity of twins with a combined weight of 16 pounds and 13 ounces. This extraordinary birth likely makes them the heaviest twin duo ever delivered in the Lothian region. While twins are often expected to be smaller at birth, the medical team closely monitored the babies’ growth throughout Alanna’s pregnancy, ensuring their healthy weights defied expectations.