7 July 2025

Spending almost a month in NICU with their newborn twins was 'the most stressful time of their lives' for parents Yiannis and Mel.

It was a rollercoaster journey for Yiannis and Mel, who estimate they made around 100 trips to hospital during the pregnancy and after their twins were born.

Sixty-seven per cent of families surveyed by Twins Trust reported experiencing medical complications during their multiple pregnancy. Yiannis and his wife have shared their story of their pregnancy and the early days of their sons' lives.

Miracle babies Christos and Adonis were conceived via IVF and born in January 2025 at 34 weeks.
Yiannis, who is a performance analyst for the NHS but also an award-winning GB Triathlete, said: "They were IVF babies, they were our fourth and final attempt on the NHS. We hadn't given up becoming parents but we said if it happens, it happens. I remember when we found out we were pregnant, we were in shock. Mel went off her food and I just sensed she was pregnant with twins, then the scans confirmed that. I just knew it."

Scans later revealed there was a growth difference between the twins, so the couple was referred to the Fetal Medicine Unit.
Yiannis added: "We were scanned at 12 weeks. They said there was a 32% difference between the babies and to 'prepare for the worst' and that we might be likely to lose one of the twins."

Regular scans followed and the babies continued to be closely monitored at numerous hospital appointments. "The smaller twin was always a few days behind in his growth. Once he reached 500g they started to be more optimistic. The consultants told us to expect a NICU stay," he added.

The boys were born in January at 34 weeks. Adonis weighed 2.8lb, while Christos was 4.3lb. When Adonis was born, the couple learned why he had restricted growth.
Yiannis said: "The surgeon had never seen it - apparently it's only in 5% of cases around the world - Adonis was connected to Mel's membrane, and that wasn't where he should have been." They understood that Adonis had velamentous cord insertion in the membrane, which can lead to intrauterine growth restriction.

The experience in NICU was fantastic

After being transferred to the recovery room, Christos was given oxygen and the couple were able to hold Adonis for a short time. The twins were then quickly transferred to the High Dependency Unit and then NICU for 23 days, due to their premature birth and also because of Adonis' restricted growth.

"The experience in NICU was fantastic - the nurses were great. I was working at the time too so I would work in a communal room, and was able to check on the boys during the day.
"No-one really prepared us for what it was going to be like in NICU. You're in and out and it costs a lot to drive there and back. Adonis struggled with acid reflux and was unsettled when he had his milk."

The couple was supported by a counsellor at the hospital during their NICU stay. "It was really stressful. It felt odd when we were back at home without the babies. We knew the twins were in good hands in NICU. We had a counsellor who would see us once a week when we were there. She would see how we were doing and how we were feeling and the impact on our relationship. I was honest and said I didn't feel attached to the twins as they weren't home yet. Mel said she felt guilty when we went home as the babies were in hospital."

Even when the couple were home with the twins, they had to return to hospital on a number of occasions.
Looking back on their time in NICU, Yiannis said: "Our NICU experience was really tough. Mel lost nearly two months of maternity leave because the boys were in NICU and I felt sorry for her. They were long days sitting in hospital and you can only do so much. I just wanted them to come home.

"Nothing can really prepare you and you'd see singleton babies and you'd see them go within a few days. We just didn't expect to be in NICU for as long as we were. They did keep the twins together, so that was positive. It's the unknown in the whole experience, that's what is worrying."