Your birth
Your obstetrician will discuss with you the best method and appropriate timing for your babies to arrive. This will depend on how your pregnancy is progressing.
You may go into labour naturally, or you doctors may feel it is appropriate to offer induction of labour.
It may be possible to have a vaginal birth; however twin deliveries are more likely to require intervention with ventouse, forceps or caesarean birth.
If the first baby is head down and there are no other problems, it is likely that you may try for a vaginal delivery for both babies.
Sometimes the second baby may change its position after the first baby has been born, and sometimes a Caesarean birth is necessary for the birth of the second baby (as the safest option).
If the first baby is breech (bottom first), a planned Caesarean birth will be advised.
Monoamniotic twins, who share an amniotic sac, are usually delivered by Caesarean birth whatever the position of the babies.
A midwife on the Labour ward will look after you.
An IV (intravenous) cannula (plastic tube) will be sited, usually into the back of your hand and a blood sample sent.
We will monitor both babies' heartbeats all the time, which may make it less easy to move around, and you will not be able to use the pool.
An epidural is often recommended as the best form of pain relief in labour, and also in preparation for the birth of the second baby who may need to be helped into a better position for delivery. There will usually be quite a lot of staff including paediatricians (baby doctor) in the room at the birth as we have to look after the baby born first and get ready for the birth of a second baby.
Doctors will be there with a scanning machine to check on the position of the second baby.
The second baby will be in its own sac of waters, and this will not be broken until you are pushing again. Usually there is a gap of 30-45 minutes between the births.
After the second baby is born the placenta will be delivered.
You will be given medicine to keep the womb contracted for a few hours after the birth, as it will have been stretched and you may bleed more than with one baby.
If you think you're in labour, contact your midwife or maternity unit
Multiple Pregnancy information
(Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists)
Useful links
NCT
National Childbirth Trust
Antenatal classes, postnatal help and breastfeeding support
Tel: 0300330 0774
NCT
National Childbirth Trust
Antenatal classes, postnatal help and breastfeeding support
Tel: 0300330 0774
TAMBA
Twins and multiple Births Association
Support and information for families with twins or more
Tel: 0800 138 0509
TAMBA
Twins and multiple Births Association
Support and information for families with twins or more
Tel: 0800 138 0509
Tommy's
A pregnancy information enquiry service for mums-to-be, partners, family members and friends.
Tel: 0800 0147 800
Tommy's
A pregnancy information enquiry service for mums-to-be, partners, family members and friends.
Tel: 0800 0147 800