TWIN boys who were born extremely prematurely almost five weeks apart during the first Covid lockdown are celebrating their fourth birthdays.

Jude and Teddie Walsh are four in April and May respectively but it has been quite the journey for the youngsters with both spending a lot of time in hospital, particularly at Worcestershire Royal’s Neonatal Unit.

Jude was born at 23 weeks weighing just 1lb on April 12 and Teddie at 28 weeks at 2lb 7oz on May 13.

But their mother Donna Walsh, who lives near Bewdley, said both “are now thriving and happy little boys who, despite their crazy journey, have done so well”.

Donna, 40, said: “They were born during lockdown of 2020 at 23 weeks and 28 weeks apart, making them almost five weeks’ difference.

“My waters initially broke at 22 weeks with Jude. I managed to stay on bed rest for another six days and he was then born at 23 weeks.

“My labour then stopped. Jude was transferred to St Michael’s Hospital NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Bristol while I stayed on bed rest in Worcestershire Royal.

“Teddie then was born at 28 weeks, almost five weeks after Jude. Teddie went to Worcester NICU where Jude joined him at nine weeks old.

“Sadly, Jude became very unwell with NEC (necrotising enterocolitis) and then spent one month at Birmingham Children’s Hospital before being reunited back at Worcester NICU where they stayed until they were well enough to go home.

“Jude was on home oxygen for the first year and has had numerous admissions for chest infections, meaning he was requiring oxygen again.

“They are currently at nursery in Bewdley but I am deferring their school year until 2025 when they are five so they get an extra year at nursery to grow.

“I feel that, being so premature and being lockdown babies who spent a lot of time in hospital, it’s the right thing to do.

“Both of them are now thriving and happy little boys who, despite their crazy journey, have done so well.

“They are little mini-celebrities when we take them to Worcestershire Royal, known by every doctor and nurse.”

Jude’s birthday was the first on Friday, April 12 but they have joint celebrations on each and also on their due date.

Donna added the whole experience had been “definitely scary” and even more challenging due to the Covid lockdown but she was grateful for the support of the hospitals and staff.