Twins first in line

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

FIRST UP: Neve, foreground, and Miro Evans, the first twins born in New Zealand this decade, with their parents Phil Evans and Sophie Worlock.

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Sophie Worlock made a promise to her partner on New Year's Eve that she failed to keep.

At 30 weeks' pregnant the Waikato Hospital nurse, who had an early shift the next day, had no intention of seeing in the New Year so sent her partner, Phil Evans, out to enjoy the festivities with friends.

"He didn't want to leave but there was no point in us both missing out on the fun and I promised I wouldn't go into labour," Ms Worlock said, laughing.

But at 9pm, while she was speaking to her parents in the United Kingdom, her waters broke.

"I was just hoping Phil hadn't had too much to drink," Ms Worlock said.

Luckily the Welshman had had only a couple of drinks and was soon home to pick up his wife and head for the hospital.

Ms Worlock said doctors attempted to stop the labour. "But the twins had other ideas."

The first to arrive, at 9.23am on January 1, was daughter Neve, weighing 1.406 kilograms (3.09 pounds). Son Miro was delivered via caesarean section at 10.11am. He weighed in at 1.401kg (3.08 pounds).

The Cambridge siblings were believed to be the first twins born in New Zealand this decade after their premature entrance into the world.

"They are both doing well – though we have had a few ups and downs, but we can't wait to take them home as soon as practically possible," Ms Worlock said.

Yesterday, The New Zealand Herald reported that Whakatane brothers Kane and Jerone Clark were the first twins born this decade – on the night of January 2. However, the Waikato twins were born more than 24 hours earlier.

- © Fairfax NZ News