FOR most parents the birth of their children is a long-awaited joy. But for Leela and Anthony Senior joy was clouded with fear and anguish.

Their twins, Willow and Stanley, were born more than three months early at just 26 weeks, weighing 2lb 1oz and 2lb 3oz respectively.

Tiny, with underdeveloped lungs, their survival was far from certain.

Indeed their parents “lost count” of the number of times staff at Poole Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) saved their lives.

But after a gruelling 143 days, the two little fighters are finally at home in Moordown – leaving hospital at last on Valentine’s Day.

From the moment the shocked couple were told “These babies are coming now”, their lives have been turned upside-down.

“That first sighting of our babies in amongst the wires and tubes was horrendous and overwhelming,” said Leela.

They were so fragile that feeding them or changing a nappy could cause them to stop breathing.

“I have lost count of the times the doctors and nurses have saved the lives of our babies,” added Leela. “Whether it is reaching for the bag to resuscitate, or calmly asking for assistance when needing to implement cardiac massage, their professionalism is astounding.”

The tiny pair had numerous X-rays as well as heart and head scans.

Willow needed heart surgery at just five weeks old and weighed only 1kg.

Leela added: “When you see them in pain or upset, all you want to do is give them a cuddle – but you can’t do that. You have to watch someone else sort them out.”

But over the weeks there were treasured milestones, like being able to hold Stanley after three weeks, and Willow four weeks later, or finally seeing their faces free of masks and wires, and when they first fit into normal baby clothes.

Then at last they could bring them home, with Stanley weighing 11lb 7oz and Willow 9lb 15oz.

They are still being monitored around the clock, need medication and oxygen, and remain vulnerable to infection. But to their mum and dad they are “total miracles”.

“They’ve been through so much,” added Leela. “We just feel really proud of them. We’re so grateful to everyone at Poole NICU – they are amazing people.”

Yarrells Preparatory School, where Leela works, has raised almost £550 for Poole NICU.

She added: “I can’t think of a better cause. The work that is done there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is truly remarkable.”