Rohan Kelly, who weighed 2310 grams (5lb 1oz) and Ross McNeill, who weighed 2450 grams (5lb 40z), arrived five weeks early at the Shoalhaven District Hospital on Monday, January 7.

But, their arrival wasn’t without some drama.

Melissa went into labor in Ulladulla and had to be driven under lights and sirens by three ambulances to hospital.

“It was all pretty dramatic,” Mum Melissa said.

“I had been to Nowra earlier in the day for a scan and returned home to Ulladulla - unbeknown to me I was already nearly fully dilated.

“I had a lie down for a while but when I got up I said to Neil we’ve got to get to the hospital.”

The couple rang the hospital and told them they were on their way but were advised to ring an ambulance.

“They (the paramedics) were brilliant,” Melissa said.

“The ambulance arrived about five minutes later. By then I was fully dilated.

“Matt and Pat our paramedics from Milton/Ulladulla said they would take us to Shoalhaven Hospital, but if one of the babies started coming or I needed to push prior to hitting Milton they would stop at Milton Hospital.

“We got to Milton Hospital and I was fine. But just up the road, near the post office, I really wanted to push.

“They guys decided there was no turning back and we headed for Nowra.”

She said wanting to push literally started 15 minutes after her first contraction.

“Matt and Pat were brilliant,” she said.

“They kept me calm and kept me focused and comfortable. But they didn’t spare the horses on the trip up the highway - we flew.”

In fact they arrived at the hospital well before father Neil who was following behind. He actually missed the birth of their first twin Rohan, who arrived after a lightning labor at 6.21pm.

“I had no Neil but Matt sat with me and held my hand,” she said.

“After Rohan was born he kept saying Pat and Matt were good names.”

Ross took a little bit longer - he arrived at 7.49pm by caesarian.

“He wasn’t as quick at Rohan,” Melissa said.

“But they both arrived healthily, albeit five weeks early.

“We call them our two Rs - our Little Rascals.

“We can’t thank Matt and Pat enough. They were absolutely fantastic. Absolute heroes.

“Thanks also to the midwifery, surgical, anaesthetist, and paediatricians at Shoalhaven District Hospital who all did a brilliant job.”

After 12 days mum and bubs made the journey home south last Friday, January 18, with older siblings Coralie 10 and Lucas 8 delighted to have the new family additions home.