Nicole says there are no words to describe the excitement she and her husband Chris felt when they found out they were pregnant with twins.
The couple had tried for "11 long years" to have a baby, including many rounds of IVF, before the only option that remained was egg donation. The couple have Greek heritage and ultimately chose to proceed with egg donation in Greece, where they have close family support.
It resulted in the news they had been waiting for.
"When we found out we were pregnant, and with twins, it was surreal for me. I was happy but I wasn't ready to accept it yet. We waited until we heard their heartbeats, and when we did, we both just cried. That's when it felt real," Nicole said.
"Once you start to look pregnant and feel pregnant, the excitement is beyond anything. There's no word for how we felt."
The couple welcomed their twins, Jamie and Selena, at Epworth Freemasons in March.
Nicole's obstetrician, Dr Stephen Cole, delivered the twins at Epworth Freemasons and said it was a privilege to be part of such a special moment in families' lives.
"You try to strike the balance between joining in the excitement with them and letting them have that moment together in the delivery room – it is a very intense moment that parents share between themselves," Dr Cole said.
"Particularly for women who have had difficult journeys to motherhood, it is incredibly rewarding to help them get to the other end and see the excitement, joy and relief they experience."
Nicole adores her "two little buddies" and is so grateful to finally be a mum, but she is also open about the difficult period she experienced following their birth. She hopes sharing her post-partum experience will help other new parents to feel less alone.
"I had a few dark days in the early weeks. They were very hard days. A lot of tears. Running on no sleep. Having moments of regret that you don't mean," she said.
"My husband was amazing. He was very aware of my emotions and knew exactly what to say, which helped me feel like I wasn't going crazy or alone.
"I talk about my feelings which helps. A lot of women experience what I went through, but it isn't really talked about, and I imagine a lot sit in dark places for quite some time."
Today, the twins are now around nine weeks old and already showing their personalities.
"Selena is feisty - she knows when to eat, sleep, everything. Jamie needs more cuddles, which is gorgeous," Nicole gushed.
