Astro
Photo by Manchester Evening News

Manchester Mum to Bring Stillborn Twin’s Photo as Son Starts School

In a heartwarming yet poignant gesture, Kayleigh Doyle, a 23-year-old mother from Manchester, is preparing her son Astro to start school this September by bringing a photo of his stillborn twin brother, Arlo, in his memory.

Kayleigh and her partner welcomed twins three weeks apart, a rare occurrence that has deeply impacted their family. Arlo was stillborn at 17 weeks, while Astro, now three years old, faces several health challenges, including a hole in his heart and abnormal blood vessel growth in his eyes. Despite these complications, Kayleigh describes Astro as “fighting fit” and excited to embark on his new school journey, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

Reflecting on her unique family situation, Kayleigh shared, “It’s a bittersweet feeling – as far as I’m concerned, I’m always going to be a mum-of-three. When I got pregnant with twins, I always imagined this time in their life – and dreaded how expensive two school uniforms were going to be! You think about having to buy two blazers, two school bags – but it won’t be happening.”

To honor Arlo’s memory, Astro will carry a photo of his late brother on his first day of school and pose for his school photo alongside Arlo’s urn. This touching tribute underscores the enduring bond between the siblings, despite Arlo’s untimely passing.

Kayleigh’s journey began in October 2020 when she became pregnant with twins. All her scans were normal until she went into labor on March 15, 2021. Rushing to the Royal Oldham Hospital, Kayleigh was kept under observation for five days. She gave birth to Arlo naturally at 4:20 am on March 20, but tragically, he was stillborn, weighing only 1.1 pounds. Doctors suspected a blood clot in his placenta as the cause.

Against medical expectations, Kayleigh managed to keep Astro, referred to as “twin two,” in the womb for five days after Arlo’s stillbirth. Upon discharge, she continued daily check-ups at Saint Mary’s Hospital, where her case was deemed exceptionally rare by her doctors.

On April 11, 2021, with no signs of further labor, doctors opted for a C-section to deliver Astro safely. He was born at 4:12 am, weighing just 2 pounds. The Doyle family has since cherished every moment with Astro, balancing the joy of his presence with the sorrow of Arlo’s loss.

Each year, the family commemorates Arlo’s birthday with a special party, releasing blue lanterns and balloons in his memory. However, Kayleigh finds it challenging when people mistake her younger son, Albie, aged two, for Astro’s twin. “It can be a bit of a kick in the teeth because it feels like Arlo should be here – he should’ve started nursery with Astro, and they should be starting school together,” she explained.

In addition to her role as a devoted mother, Kayleigh has found solace in volunteering at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Saint Mary’s Hospital. She plans to return to work with longer hours once both Astro and Albie begin school, allowing her to balance her professional and personal responsibilities.

Kayleigh’s story is a testament to resilience and the enduring love within a family facing unimaginable loss. As Astro steps into this new chapter of his life, the memory of Arlo will continue to inspire and strengthen the Doyle family.

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