Parents have second set of twins – at odds of 700,000 to one!

By Simon Yaffe

A Manchester couple defied odds of up to 700,000 to one with the birth of two sets of twins.

Belinda and Gary Rich are already parents to four-year-olds Yaakov and Yitzi.

And at the end of last month, they also welcomed twins Devora and Gavriel, who were born at St Mary’s Hospital.

They weighed 5lb 4oz and 6lb 7ozs respectively.

Both sets of twins are non-identical.

Mr Rich, 33, told the Jewish Telegraph: “We were obviously shocked when Belinda went for a scan and was told she would be having twins again.

“It was a nice feeling too and we were delighted. We both just thought: ‘Wow’.”

The pair met as teenagers while pupils in Manchester King David High School’s sixth-form.

The chances of parents having two sets of twins range from 3,000-1 to 700,000-1 depending upon the source.

But Mr Rich said he and his wife were told by a surgeon that there is a one in four chance of a woman giving birth to twins if she had previously done so.

The couple, of Prestwich, have had to move into a larger property and buy a new car for their extended brood. 

“We are delighted because the family is becoming bigger,” said Mr Rich, a planning and performance officer at Blackburn with Darwen Council’s children’s department.

“It can be hard work with two sets of twins – and the nights are the hardest part.”

The couple are trying to involve their older set of twins, Yaakov and Yitzi, who attend Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School, with their new brother and sister.

Mr Rich explained: “It is important they don’t feel left out.

“Luckily, the boys have taken to them really nicely.

“They like to have lots of hugs and kisses with the new twins.”

Also kvelling are grandparents Carol and Barry Rich and Beverley and Philip Goldstone, also of Prestwich.

And little Devora and Gavriel should also expect to follow in their proud daddy’s footsteps of supporting his beloved Manchester City.

Mr Rich added: “Yaakov and Yitzi are already City fans.

“I am definitely going to make sure Gavriel is and Devora as well – if she wants to, of course.”

Courtesy of the Jewish Telegraph, Manchester