Married at First Sight‘s Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven have welcomed twin boys into the world 10 weeks early.
The couple announced the safe arrival of their two children exclusively to New Idea. In a statement, Bryce gushed over the newborns while revealing all the details of their unexpected arrival.
“We had planned to spend the weekend building the nursery and setting things up for the twins, but that all changed early Saturday morning,” the MAFS alum said.
“Even though the boys have arrived early, they’re doing really well and are getting the best care possible.
“The staff at Frankston Hospital were amazing with Liss making her feel comfortable and we can’t thank them enough for all their efforts!
“The boys are going to spend a few weeks in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), they’re responding well to treatment and are squeezing our fingers which is the best feeling in the world.”
Bryce posted a video on Monday morning showing Melissa in hospital, with the new mum saying: “Today we were planning to start establishing the nursery but here we are. Big shock, very early.”
“I’m only 29 weeks so they’re very, very early.”
Bryce added: “They didn’t want to stay inside and play, they wanted to come out and meet us in the real world.”
The couple, both 32, have taken fans along every step of their pregnancy journey, from the babies’ gender reveal in August to Melissa’s many obstetrician appointments.
Bryce and Melissa made the bombshell announcement in July that they were not only expecting twins, but that they were also engaged engaged.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but we’re so incredibly happy,” Melissa told New Idea at the time, pointing out their twins will be a world first for the TV franchise.
“People saw on the show how supportive and loyal Mel was. I’m pleased to say that’s transitioned to the real world,” Bryce added.
Off the back of a villainous edit and viewer backlash, the couple said they were happy to be putting the series behind them.
“It’s all happened very fast,” Bryce admitted in July.
“People saw on the show how supportive and loyal Mel was. I’m pleased to say that’s transitioned to the real world,” Bryce said, insisting there was no doubt he wants to spend the rest of his life with Melissa.
The road to lifelong love –and now parenthood – has been rocky for the pair whose relationship was subject to heavy criticism on-screen.
However, with no producers or editing to get in the way, the new parents have gone from strength to strength since filming wrapped.
“We’d already been married on the show and, with our relationship getting stronger, this just felt like the logical next step,” Melissa previously said.
The mother-of-two previously admitted she burst into tears at her scan when the nurse revealed she was expecting twins.
“Bryce had to wait elsewhere due to COVID, so I was alone during the first ultrasound and she just came straight out with it – no warning,” she said.
“I couldn’t stop crying, it was very emotional. I think I said ‘holy s–t’ seven times.”
The pair also revealed they’re planning a “low-key” wedding – nothing like their TV nuptials. And while Melissa has big plans for the day, their focus is now on their little family-of-four.