Parents celebrate miracle twins starting school in emotional milestone

Jasmine and Luca, from Sleaford, were born in Leicester Royal Infirmary in April 2022 after parents Claire and Darren Oxby went through six rounds of IVF treatment.

Claire, 40, says they were aware of the risks of premature birth, but were not expecting them to arrive a daunting 15 weeks early.

The pregnancy had been going well, said Claire, but her waters broke around Jasmine as she was growth restricted and they were sent from Lincoln by ambulance to Leicester for the birth by caesarean section as Jasmine’s cord was being crushed.

Jasmine was born weighing 555g (1lb 3.6oz) and Luca 905g (1 lb 15.92 oz). Both were incredibly tiny and put on a ventilator. Luca had a minor brain injury but Jasmine suffered a severe brain injury.

"The doctors needed to see if the bleeding continued or if there were more infections and would then have to talk about withdrawing treatment,” said Claire. “That was a big shock and we didn’t know what to expect.”

Thankfully the bleeding subsided and was absorbed, but Jasmine was deemed to be at higher risk of cerebral palsy.

"She is a real miracle – we cannot believe how lucky we have got with her,” said Claire, who works with her husband’s business supplying raw materials for the pet food industry.

Jasmine put them through a roller coaster of emotions over the next 12 weeks. After six weeks her breathing started to deteriorate as her lungs were so newly formed and she was put on steroids – heightening the risk of cerebral palsy even further.

Claire recalls this was all during Covid pandemic restrictions but they were allowed to call in family as her survival was doubtful and she was given just 48 hours to respond, but thankfully she improved.

Claire said: “She had been put on a ventilator that shook her to get the oxygen into all the branches of her lungs.”

Meanwhile Luca underwent surgery for a hernia, but was doing well and gave hope to Claire and Darren, 47.

Reaching their actual ‘due date’, the twins headed back to Lincoln County Hospital. But after four days in Lincoln, Jasmine managed to detach her ventilator tube and went into cardiac arrest and was rushed back to Leicester, meaning the parents were torn between two babies in separate hospitals. Claire’s mum often stayed with Jasmine at hospital to help.

Thankfully Jasmine responded and was moved to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and Luca was strong enough to come home, with Jasmine joining them in October.

"She came home with an oxygen and feeding tube – it felt very medical and we were their nurses, not parents.

They thought the following years would see frequent trips to hospital but they have been very lucky apart from a brief chest infection for Luca and Jasmine had febrile convulsions but they have been given the all-clear.

Jasmine has an eye flicker (Nystagmus) but can definitely see, said Claire, although peripheral vision may be affected. Both she and Luca have had laser eye surgery to counteract the effects on blood vessels of being on oxygen. Happily she has no signs of cerebral palsy, but Luca has minor cerebral palsy and wears leg splints as well as having physiotherapy and a strength and conditioning coach. There are no signs of additional needs.

"They are both doing amazing, aged four and starting mainstream primary school,” said proud mum Claire. “During those 12 weeks in Leicester 12 other babies passed away. We were so sure we would lose one of them.”

They have opted for Osbournby Primary School due to its homeliness and small scale being suited to Jasmine’s shy nature.

"I think of our story and it is like it happened to someone else,” says Claire. “We feel so lucky – they’re little miracles.”