Buy one, get one free?
Valerie Thourin, 45, and her wife, Renee, 41, welcomed their “twiblings” just 12 days apart in December 2021 after being implanted with embryos at the same time.
“We didn’t plan on getting pregnant at the same time, but our cycles had synced, and our doctor suggested a twin transfer — it was meant to be,” Valerie told SWNS.
Levi Theodore Thourin, weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces, was born Dec. 7, while his younger brother, Lenny Rrll Thourin, was born on Dec. 19 at 8 pounds 10 ounces.
“Our pregnancies mirrored each other with morning sickness, and we were able to go for ultrasounds at the same time during Covid restrictions, which was so special,” Valerie continued.
Before the arrival of Levi and Lenny, the Canadian couple endured heartbreaking fertility issues.
Renee started exploring solo parenthood via artificial insemination (IUI) before she began dating Valerie in 2016.
After a number of failed pregnancy attempts and a miscarriage for Renee, the couple decided to try reciprocal IVF in October 2019.
Renee’s egg was fertilized with a stranger’s sperm and placed into Valerie’s womb.
But Valerie suffered a “soul-crushing” miscarriage in February 2020 — her first one, as she had carried two children to term during her prior marriage.
“I’d been by Renee’s side throughout her miscarriages, and I’d, of course, been devastated, but it wasn’t until that point that I truly understood what she’d gone through,” Valerie explained.
The couple started exploring alternative options, with one recommendation being that Renee and Valerie each have an embryo from a donor couple implanted in them on the same day in April 2021.
Two weeks later, doctors confirmed they were both pregnant — just three years after they got married in April 2018.
“It was the happiest day of our life — everyone in the clinic was excited too.” Valerie gushed.
“From then we had the best time being pregnant together. As Covid was still lingering, not many couples were able to sit in during appointments, so Renee and I felt very lucky that we were able to.”
The couple’s pregnancies even mirrored one another’s, as they suffered morning sickness at the same time.
“Pregnancy after loss can be very traumatic because there’s always ‘what if something happens,’ but having each other was amazing,” Valerie explained.
Now, the happy, healthy babies are about 20 months old — and “complete opposites,” according to their parents.
Lenny is “chill” and likes to sleep and eat, while Levi isn’t too fond of sleeping, as he is “boisterous” and “incredibly curious.”
“They’re our miracles, and as they get older Renee and I will be completely open as to how we had them,” Valerie cooed. “Our story — whilst turbulent — is special, and we wouldn’t change it for the world.”
