Meet the Collins Family

Born at 25 weeks: ‘One of the most lonely and isolating experiences’

After experiencing difficulty conceiving, Kelly and Billy Collins had two daughters through IVF, both healthy pregnancies, before becoming pregnant again with identical twins, Peter and Andrew.

Although only one embryo had been transferred to reduce the risks associated with multiples, the embryo split — a rare occurrence known as monozygotic (or identical) twinning. Identical twins occur in about 1–2% of IVF pregnancies, compared with about 0.3–0.4% in the general population.

“I was immediately nervous and scared,” Kelly said. “We thought we were so thrilled to have the twins, but it quickly became more fear than excitement.”

At 13 weeks, doctors discovered the pregnancy was complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a rare and life-threatening condition affecting identical twins who share a placenta. In TTTS, uneven blood flow can leave one twin deprived of nutrients while overloading the other’s heart.

By 16 weeks, Kelly underwent fetal laser surgery in an effort to save both boys. Doctors warned they might lose Peter, whose growth had slowed significantly as he gave more blood than he received. Andrew, meanwhile, was receiving too much blood, putting dangerous strain on his heart.

The surgery was successful, but the pregnancy remained high risk. Kelly was placed on strict bedrest at her local hospital, managing ongoing complications, including bleeding and a subchorionic hematoma. “It was a very high-touch pregnancy,” she said. “A lot of the joy was taken away.”

On Christmas Eve 2021, at just 23 weeks pregnant, Kelly’s water broke for Peter. She was able to spend only an hour with her daughters on Christmas before being transferred the next day to a hospital with a higher-level NICU more than an hour from home in downtown Chicago. After nearly two weeks, she went into labor.

Peter and Andrew were born via emergency Cesarean delivery on January 6, 2022, at 25 weeks, each weighing about 1.8 pounds. Peter was stabilized and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), while Andrew required immediate surgery for severe complications.

Andrew developed an infection and suffered a brain injury. He passed away the following morning in Billy’s arms. “We made the decision to hold him,” Billy shared. “I held him on my chest, and we just sang while they turned off his oxygen and other support. We wanted him to feel our love.”

Kelly’s parents brought her daughters to the hospital. Eliza, then 4, was able to hold Andrew, while Lydia was still too young at 22 months. A photographer captured those moments, and the family now treasures the images.

As the family grieved Andrew, Peter continued fighting for his life in the NICU. His journey was filled with complications, including brain bleeds, blood pressure instability, heart issues requiring PDA closure, hydrocephalus requiring a shunt, and chronic lung disease requiring prolonged ventilation. “For the first five months, we didn’t know if he would come home,” Kelly said.

Peter remained in the NICU for seven months. During that time, Kelly and Billy often felt overwhelmed and isolated. Kelly was by herself with Peter most of the time, as Billy was still working and taking care of their two daughters at home. Support from March of Dimes became a critical source of comfort and connection for their family.

“Since Peter was in the NICU for so long, and far from home, we felt very isolated and forgotten by our community,” Kelly said. “And it was interaction with volunteers, nurses, and notes and encouragement from organizations like March of Dimes that kept us going.”

The couple received educational resources, encouragement, and small but meaningful gestures, including a hotel stay on Valentine’s Day. “Having a child in the NICU is certainly one of the most lonely and isolating experiences,” Billy said. “And I think March of Dimes can be one of the only resources that some people have.”

After months of intensive care, surgeries, and therapy, Peter finally came home. Around 20 months old, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but he has continued to make steady progress. He is still G-tube fed and faces challenges with oral eating, and while his speech is delayed, he adds new words and sounds each day. He began walking at 26 months and continues to build strength and independence through therapy. Today, he’s a joyful 4-year-old who recently started preschool and loves music.

“He's a jokester,” Kelly said. “He loves his sisters, and he loves his dad; they're attached at the hip.”

Despite ongoing challenges with feeding and speech, Peter’s progress continues to amaze his parents. His brother Andrew remains a central part of their family’s story. His memory is honored through photos, keepsakes, and a symbolic butterfly.

More than three years after their NICU journey began, Kelly and Billy are sharing their story to support and encourage other families navigating preterm birth, loss, and life in the NICU. Kelly and Billy have since welcomed baby Joanna in 2025, and the family continues to move forward with hope.

To all those families: “You're not alone,” Kelly said.