Twins reunite with doctor

It was a heartfelt reunion for twins Jay and Vince Augustson when they reconnected with one of the doctors — and consequent namesake — who delivered them 18 years ago.

Dr Jay Natalwala, who was a practising specialist obstetrician gynaecologist at Joondalup Health Campus the time, first met the Augustsons when the twins’ mother Karen was referred to him.

Mrs Augustson had a normal pregnancy until 28 weeks.

At 32 weeks Dr Natawala delivered the twins via caesarean, a decision which Mrs Augustson firmly believes saved the boys’ lives.

“I truly believe if it wasn’t for Jay we wouldn’t have them,” Mrs Augustson said

In a coincidental turn of events Mrs Augustson and her husband Neil demonstrated this gratitude in a moniker bond.

“When we went in we picked the names Jay and Vince but when we had the babies I think (Jay) said ‘what did you call the babies’ and I said ‘Jay and Vince’ and everyone laughed,” Mrs Augustson said.

It wasn’t until she queried this response the Augustsons were informed Dr Natalwala’s partner who helped deliver the boys was Dr Vince Chapple.

“(The nurses) said ‘we thought that was a joke’ and I said ‘why would that be a joke?’ And they said ‘they were the two doctors that delivered the babies’.

“We knew Jay delivered them but at the time I don’t think I knew Vince (delivered them).”

When the boys, now active and healthy, turned 18 the Augustsons reached out to the doctors. “So when they turned 18 I thought ‘I wonder if they know these kids are still alive’,” Mrs Auguston said,

Three years ago Dr Natalwala and Dr Chapple opened Great Southern Fertility which is based in Albany and Denmark, unaware the Augustsons had also relocated from Perth to Albany.

Dr Natalwala met with the twins at the weekend for the first time since their birth.