Twins give birth on the same day

Most identical twins already share an incredibly close bond, but for sisters Nicole Patrikakos and Gilliane Gogas that connection now goes even deeper.

The twin siblings both gave birth to a baby boy on the same day at Epworth Freemasons Maternity. The babies were even exactly the same weight at birth, arriving into the world weighing 3.4kg.

Gilliane gave birth to Alexander, her third child, at 1.20pm on Tuesday 22 August 2023; and just five hours later, Nicole welcomed her first child, William.

Both babies were delivered at the Melbourne hospital by obstetrician Dr Joseph Sgroi.

"You have got two identical twin girls having their babies at the same time," Dr Sgroi told Channel Nine.

"We know that they (twins) share 100 percent of their DNA so these two boys, whilst they may be cousins, they are actually more akin to brothers in terms of their gene pool."

For the sisters, it was certainly a double celebration.

"The first thing people would ask was, 'Was it planned?'," Ms Patrikakos said.

"It was certainly planned individually, but not together. You can't time something like this."

The sisters live only streets away from each other in Melbourne's inner north.

"It was meant to be, and that's something to celebrate," Ms Gogas said.

"We have no doubt that the babies will be close. We've been referring to them as 'the twins' the whole time. We've even bought matching double prams so they can ride together."

Their families will certainly have no trouble remembering Alexander and William's birthday each year.

Epworth Freemasons Maternity cares for newborns and families across three locations: Victoria Parade, Albert Street, and dedicated rooms at Park Hyatt Melbourne.

Read more: 'Magical connection' as mum assists birth

Read more: Sister-in-law gives 'wonderful gift of life'

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