The amazing twins born 5 weeks apart

There, doctors gave her a combination of drugs and treatments to stop her labour from going any further – and thankfully it worked.

She managed to hold on to her son Michah for a further 2 weeks. He was finally born on Valentine's Day – a whole 4 months before his due date in early June.

"Our goal, before he was born, was, 'we've got to make it to 24 [weeks]!' Sure enough, he made it to 24 and one day," Ian told WBIR.

According to doctors, 24 weeks is how long a baby needs to reach to be able to survive outside of the womb – although there's still a risk of complications.

But although Micah was born – his twin sister Madelyn wasn't.

You see, they're fraternal twins, which means they had their own separate amniotic sacs and placentas.

Because Madelyn's amniotic sac was still intact, doctors decided to attempt a delayed interval delivery – allowing the twins to be born at different times.

"We said, 'Yes, if there's anything you can do to keep one of them in longer, we want to do that," Kristen said.

So baby Madelyn would stay in the womb for as long as possible.

Delayed births are extremely rare – and usually only last from an hour to a week.

The still-pregnant Kristen was put on strict bed rest and her little girl stayed snug in the womb an extra 38 days.

Since she was born, she's now joined her brother in the neonatal intensive care unit – where they're expected to stay for at least another 2 months.

"We feel so blessed to be here," the proud mum said. "The only thing that's gotten me through this . . . is to say, 'God is in control.'"

Photos: Facebook / Ian Miller

Read more

• Amazing pics of a twin water birth, one born in the amniotic sac
• This baby was born entirely encapsulated – watch as he takes his first breath
• Can you see what everyone's talking about in this baby scan?