Ireland Rugby Star Amee Leigh Costigan Expecting Twins in Joyful Surprise
Amee Leigh Costigan, a prominent figure in Irish rugby, is experiencing an unparalleled wave of happiness as she prepares to welcome not one, but two new additions to her family. The star athlete recently announced her pregnancy, revealing the astonishing news that she is expecting twins. This double blessing comes after years of planning and a deep desire to start a family, making the surprise even more profound.
Costigan, who has been feeling remarkably well throughout her pregnancy, shared that the decision to start a family was a long-held aspiration. “It was always a part of our life plan [to have a family] and we’ve been together for almost 18 years so having kids was something we’d spoken about, but when that would fit into rugby was the biggest question mark,” she explained. Having already represented Ireland at the Olympics and then committed to the 15s format of the game, the timing for starting a family became a key consideration. “I had gone to the Olympics, and then the 15s opportunity came and I couldn’t really step away from that, so we just felt like this was the right time for us. We’re just so blessed that it did happen.”
The initial expectation was for a single baby. “We thought it was a singleton because you never really imagine you’re going to have twins. Well, for me anyway, I never even thought of it,” Costigan admitted. The revelation of twins came as a complete shock to both Amee Leigh and her husband, Neil, just before Christmas.
A Double Heartbeat: The Shocking Ultrasound
The couple discovered they were expecting twins during a private scan, undertaken with the simple hope of confirming a healthy heartbeat and the baby’s well-being. The sonographer’s routine examination took an unexpected turn when, after locating the first baby, she revealed the presence of a second heartbeat.
“We went for a private scan… just thinking hopefully there’s a heartbeat and the baby is doing okay,” Costigan recounted. “The sonographer scanned who we now know to be twin A and said the baby was happy and healthy and then she swiped over and said ‘there’s the second heartbeat.'”
The impact of this news was immediate and overwhelming. “We were so shocked, I was speechless, and our jaws hit the floor. We were really surprised but really happy surprised, just thinking this is crazy,” she described. The surreal nature of the moment led to a moment of shared disbelief and joy. “Afterwards we just sat in the car, looking at each other and laughing, this wasn’t what we planned but we’ve been gifted two babies,” she added.
The immediate aftermath was a mix of elation and profound thought. Costigan’s husband had to head straight to his night shift, leaving her to process the incredible news alone. “I couldn’t sleep for ages that night, I was just up thinking. I’d always dreamt of having children but never imagined two at the same time,” she confessed.
Sharing the Wonderful News with Teammates
For a few weeks, the couple decided to keep their extraordinary news private, allowing themselves time to fully absorb the reality of their impending double arrival. “It’s the best surprise we’ll ever get. I was a bit stressed finding out it was two. Obviously, I want them to be healthy, and I want to be as healthy as I can to help them,” Costigan said.
One of the most anticipated moments was sharing the news with her rugby teammates, a group she considers like family. She chose to deliver the announcement during a team meeting, creating a memorable “double whammy” experience.
“I got up to speak and thanked the team for the support they’d shown me [as she’d taken a step back from rugby just before Christmas] and told them you probably weren’t expecting this, but I’m pregnant,” Costigan recalled. The initial reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with the team rising to give her a massive round of applause.
The excitement escalated when Costigan revealed the second part of her news. “They all looked so happy. I felt so special in that room… They sat down and then I was able to announce I was actually having two, so that was even more special.”
This second announcement was met with an even greater outpouring of joy and surprise. “Again, they all cheered and stood up and gave me a big round of applause. I could see so many surprised faces with so many happy faces at the same time. It’s a really special moment and to share it with your team that you’ve gone through a lot with [was very special].”
The camaraderie and understanding within the team were evident. “You don’t really keep secrets from your teammates, we are a family in there and we are so connected, so it did feel like I was telling white lies when I wasn’t in there [for training], but It was obviously for the best and for the safety of the twins that I would get to 12 weeks.”
Following the team announcement, Costigan officially shared her pregnancy on Instagram a few weeks later. She explained her decision to wait until later in the pregnancy, stating, “I wanted to get to 18 or 19 weeks before announcing, with twins, it’s a higher risk pregnancy.”
Keeping the Genders a Surprise
When it comes to finding out the genders of the babies, Costigan and her husband have opted to keep it a surprise. “As an adult, you don’t get many surprises,” she mused, highlighting the desire to preserve some mystery and excitement.
With the twins due in the summer, Costigan is not putting her rugby career on hold entirely but is adjusting her training regimen. She is focusing on maintaining her fitness without overexerting herself, ensuring she is well-prepared for her return to the sport post-birth. “I’m not pushing myself too hard but to a level that’ll stand to me when I return,” she stated, currently training four days a week across two teams.
Even with her pregnancy progressing, Costigan remains an integral part of the Irish rugby setup. She is involved in the team’s preparation for the upcoming Six Nations tournament as part of the leadership group. “I feel very lucky that I’m still involved and can contribute off the pitch,” she said. She plans to be present with the team, offering support and encouragement while continuing her own training. “I’ll be in camp around the girls and be their biggest fan while also training away myself. I’m hoping to stay as mobile as I can for as long as I can.”
