When Jennifer Prior and Darren Lee first heard they were expecting twins, they couldn’t have imagined the rollercoaster that lay ahead. What began as a routine pregnancy quickly turned into a high-risk situation. At just 20 weeks, doctors told the Clydebank couple the devastating news that their babies were unlikely to survive. The prognosis was grim. Medical professionals braced Jennifer and Darren for the worst, warning them that both twins might be stillborn.
But the story didn’t end there. Against the odds, Jennifer managed to carry the babies until the 29th week of pregnancy. On January 10, 2025, Macie and Marcus entered the world at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children. Macie weighed only two pounds, while her brother Marcus was just one pound and three ounces. Their early arrival marked the beginning of a daunting journey, but also one filled with hope.
A new cot makes all the difference.
From the start, Macie and Marcus were up against challenges that premature babies regularly face: underdeveloped lungs, the risk of infection, and temperature regulation issues, to name a few. But these two had something unique in their corner—the hospital’s new co-sleeping cot, specially designed for twins.
As the Glasgow Times reports, this revolutionary cot allows premature twins to remain side by side, mimicking the closeness they’d experienced in the womb. It’s a crucial development in neonatal care, as studies increasingly show the importance of early bonding. The cot can be individually adjusted on each side to cater to the different needs of each twin. It also allows for separate temperature regulation and positioning, offering tailored care without separating the babies. One side can even include a heat mat or be tilted to help with common preemie issues like reflux.
Jennifer described the impact of the cot as nothing short of life-changing. The ability to keep her babies together gave her hope during a time when she feared the worst. “Being told the worst was likely to happen then for the complete opposite felt like a miracle took place,” she said. “I was there day and night since the day they were born just hoping someone would give me some hope and confirmation they would survive.”
A twelve-week fight for life
The twins remained in the neonatal unit for 12 weeks. During that time, they battled numerous complications but showed an incredible will to survive. Their care team closely monitored them, adjusting treatments and support as needed. Despite their fragile beginnings, Macie and Marcus gradually grew stronger, passing milestone after milestone. Eventually, they were discharged from the hospital, healthy enough to go home with their overjoyed parents.
Their recovery was not just a testament to their resilience but also to the skill and dedication of the medical staff at the Royal Hospital for Children. One neonatal nurse explained how the new cot has transformed their ability to care for twins. “It gives us the flexibility to care for twins in a way that’s safe, practical, and centred around the babies’ individual needs,” she said. “It’s much easier for families to interact with their babies, which is so important, and it really helps support the kind of personalised care we strive to give every day.”
A community inspired to give back
The impact of Macie and Marcus’s survival has rippled beyond the hospital walls. Their great-grandparents, Yvonne and Peter Prior, were so moved by their journey that they decided to act. They’ve launched a fundraising campaign to help supply more co-sleeping cots to the neonatal unit, hoping other families will be given the same opportunity for closeness and care.
Peter, 76, plans to cycle 106 miles as part of the “Stride the Clyde” event to raise funds through the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Their efforts have already brought in over £1,300, and momentum continues to build. The family hopes their story will inspire others to donate, ensuring more parents of premature twins can benefit from the technology that helped save Macie and Marcus.
A lasting legacy of care and connection
What began as a pregnancy full of fear has become a story of survival, strength, and innovation. Macie and Marcus Lee defied the bleakest predictions and are now home, healthy and thriving, thanks to a blend of cutting-edge equipment, skilled medical teams, and a family that never gave up.
Their journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of innovation in healthcare, and the impact it can have not just on individual families, but on entire communities. The co-sleeping cot may be a simple concept, but in practice, it’s helping rewrite what’s possible for the tiniest and most vulnerable patients.
As the Lees settle into life at home, they do so with an enormous sense of gratitude. and with a mission to make sure more babies like theirs get the best possible start in life.