A Melbourne mother who captured the touching moment her premature babies held hands says it is surreal to think the video has been seen by millions of people around the world.

Anthea Jackson-Rushford gave birth to Kristian and Kristiana almost three weeks ago at Monash Children’s Hospital.

Born 11 weeks premature, the newborns both weighed less than a kilo and required assisted ventilation.

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When they were placed into the arms of their father Glenn for the first time, Ms Jackson-Rushford said there was an immediate connection between their little boy and girl.

That moving moment was captured on video.

“I think they’ve felt each other. If they feel each other they just grab for each other,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it. And they kept doing it. It was just unreal.”

The video has been viewed more than eight million times on social media, and has been featured by international news organisations including the BBC and Time Magazine.

Ms Jackson-Rushford said when the couple found out they were having twins they were amazed.

“He [Glenn] actually saw it before the doctor even saw it on the ultrasound. He said, ‘What’s that back there, the second one?’ It was overwhelming,” she said.

She said she now hopes that her twins will share a strong bond for the rest of their lives.

“I hope they’ll constantly be holding hands and looking after each other and not fighting with each other and driving each other crazy.”

And if they do fight, Ms Jackson-Rushford said she planned to show them the video.

-ABC