Mum thought her pregnancy symptoms were Covid, then gave birth to ‘miracle’ twins

Claire Mcwhinnie felt unwell in September after returning home from a trip to Dublin but assumed her symptoms were the result of a “long hangover” and then suspected Covid

A mum assumed she had contracted Covid when she was unwell – but it turned out she was pregnant with ‘miracle’ twins.

Claire Mcwhinnie began feeling unwell in September after returning home from a trip to Dublin.

She felt ill and thought her symptoms were due to a “long hangover.”

Though she thought she had contracted Covid, she took a pregnancy test to reassure herself.

The 42-year-old was amazed when it was revealed she did not have the virus but was expecting a baby.

However, Claire and her partner Geoff Hennefer, 44, were in for an even bigger surprise when they found out she was pregnant with twins.

She told that Manchester evening news : “I went for a scan and they said there were two heartbeats in there; I was shocked.

“I’ve had three miscarriages and have a really low egg count; I had no idea I was pregnant.

“I went to Dublin with the girls and came back not feeling great. Thought I had Covid it was my first holiday after lockdown.”

Claire did not have a smooth pregnancy and was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital with a blood pressure problem and a suspected blood clot before catching Covid before her due date.

Luckily, Claire and Geoff welcomed the safe arrival on May 11 of Louis William Hennefer and Florence Rose Hennefer, each weighing just over 6lbs.

Although they have had many sleepless nights since then, the couple say they are over the moon.

“Even before the vaccination, my fear of Covid was through the roof and I didn’t want to get it while I was pregnant,” Claire continued.

“I went into the hospital with a suspected blood clot and was in and out of the hospital with my blood pressure.

“By the second week, fairly close to giving birth, they told me I was positive for Covid.

“I had to move to an adjoining room and isolate myself. I was too sick to go home so they said I might as well stay home so they could keep a close eye on me.

“I had a c-section birth, it was a tact as to whether they would do it because of the Covid, but they were absolutely fine.”

The new mum has praised the hospital staff she owes everything to after her battle with the virus.

This meant she stayed longer in the hospital and had to isolate herself from her new arrivals.

She said: “Life is very overwhelming; it’s like all my christmases came together at once – i can’t remember what it’s like to be bored!

“I can’t thank the hospital staff enough, without them they would be here. I owe them everything and more.”