Belinda Griffiths, of Riverside, with twins Ethan and Chase, who were born yesterday morning. Picture: NEIL RICHARDSON
BELINDA and Jamie Griffiths celebrated Multiple Births Awareness week yesterday by bringing their own twins into the world.
Ethan James was born at 6.07am weighing 3 kilograms, and brother Chase David was born 20 minutes later weighing 3.074 kilograms.
The babies were full-term and were delivered naturally.
The twins are the couple's fourth and fifth children.
Mrs Griffiths said it was a shock to learn she was expecting twins, as her five week scan revealed only one baby, and twins didn't run in her family.
``When we found out, I laughed for about two days, and my husband went to work for about two days; we were both in shock,'' Mrs Griffiths said.
``I was nervous, knowing that you will never get a break because they won't be in sync . . . but now they're here, I'm excited instead.''
Mrs Griffiths said the Tasmanian Multiple Births Association had already been a great support to her during her pregnancy.
``They've been so accepting and accommodating, and they made sure to tell me all the wonderful things about having twins,'' she said.
The Tasmanian Multiple Births Association is celebrating the awareness week with events across the state.
The North will celebrate with a barbecue at Punchbowl Reserve, on Sunday from 10am to noon.
A family picnic will also be held on Sunday at Fairway Park, Ulverstone, from 11am to 1.30pm.
To contact the Tasmanian Multiple Births Association, call inquiries officer Rachael Turner on 0420 588 805, or email enquiries@tasmba.org.au.