Mum Beats 700,000-to-One Odds by Having Two Sets of Twins Back-to-Back
A mother from Shropshire has defied extraordinary odds after welcoming two sets of twins in consecutive pregnancies — despite having no family history of twins on either side.
Gina Shelton, 30, and her partner, carpenter Olie Lloyd, 33, were left stunned when a routine scan in March revealed that Gina was expecting twins for the second time in just three years. The couple already had one set of twins, making the news almost unbelievable.
Now a mum of five, Gina often jokes that people are wary of sitting too close to her — just in case her “super-fertile” genes are contagious.
“Life is loud, chaotic, and incredibly busy,” said Gina, who lives in Telford. “But I honestly wouldn’t change it for anything. Our house might be full of noise and nappies, but it’s also full of love.”
The chances of having twins in two back-to-back pregnancies are estimated at around one in 700,000 — odds similar to winning the lottery.
Gina and Olie’s children include Phoebe, six; identical twin girls Niamh and Esme, three; and fraternal twin boys Arlo and Alby, just three months old. Gina estimates she’s already changed more than 5,500 nappies — and counting.
With a rapidly growing family, everyday life has had to adapt. The couple upgraded to a seven-seater car, and their grocery bill is expected to reach around £1,000 a month as the babies grow and start solid foods.
Despite there being no twins in either family, the Shelton-Lloyd clan has drawn attention far beyond their hometown. Big brands including Heinz, Amazon, and McDonald’s have featured the family in advertising campaigns, captivated by their remarkable story.
Looking back, Gina recalls sensing something unusual during her first twin pregnancy.
“I worked in a nursery at the time and I was exhausted constantly,” she said. “Everyone kept telling me I must be having twins.”
While waiting for the scan, Olie even joked they’d need a bus instead of a car. When the results confirmed twins, the couple were overwhelmed with a mix of happiness and panic — especially as they were living in a small two-bedroom flat while Olie was still building their house.
Just a year later, the news of another twin pregnancy left everyone speechless — including doctors.
“When we told Olie’s parents, they thought we were joking,” Gina said. “They honestly believed we’d just send them the old scan again.”
Even Gina’s grandmother expressed sympathy — but Gina insists she manages just fine.
“I can take all five kids into town on my own,” she said. “They’re really well behaved, and I think staying active is the secret. I hate being stuck indoors, so I’m always planning days out.”
The identical twins attract plenty of attention when the family is out — and when people realize there’s another set of twins as well, reactions are priceless.
After the birth of her first twins, Gina began sharing her family life online. She now has more than 133,000 Instagram followers, who enjoy watching the family-of-seven navigate daily life — often dressed in adorable matching outfits.
While raising two sets of twins has doubled the workload, Gina says it has also doubled the joy.
“I worried Phoebe might feel left out,” she admitted. “But instead, it’s brought us closer. The twins have their special bond, and Phoebe and I have ours.”
She often watches Niamh and Esme burst into laughter together for reasons only they understand, fiercely defending each other when needed.
“They’re inseparable,” Gina said. “And I know the boys will grow up the same way.”
“Watching my children love each other like that is the most rewarding thing in the world,” she added. “The odds might be close to winning the lottery — but I feel even luckier than that.”
