Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey almost received an extra-special present after she spent the early hours of her birthday on Sunday in hospital. The songstress had been experiencing contractions as she prepares to welcome twins.

The heavily pregnant superstar and her husband Nick Cannon almost received a double bundle of joy on the same weekend the singer celebrates turning 42, but the pain proved to be a false alarm and Carey was allowed to return home to rest.

Detailing the incident in posts on Twitter on Sunday, she wrote: "Really wanted 2 celebrate w/us/share the anniversary! I started having contractions last night..went 2 the hospital (sic). Finally they said I could come home after they got it under control but.." 

"They almost came on 3/27 - happy anniversary in deed!!! We have a few more weeks 2 go but-wow!!!"

The soon-to-be-born twins will be the first children for Mariah and Nick, who wed in 2008. Mariah divorced her first husband, music executive Tommy Mottola, in 1998.