Giving Birth to Twins


 Giving birth to twins

Giving birth

If f you are expecting twins you will be advised to

give birth in hospital where a medical team will

be on standby if any problems arise. Although

it is perfectly possible to give birth to twins

vaginally, it is more common for twins to be born

by Caesarean. Discuss your birth preferences with

yoru midwife or consultant.

If you are carrying triplets you will be advised to

give birth in hospital by elective Caesarean.

Vaginal delivery

Providing the first baby is lying head down, giving

birth to twins vaginally should be possible, with

labour progressing much the same as it would

for a single baby. The main difference will be that

your babies will need to be closely monitored

throughout. The babies may also require assitance

delivery such as ventouse or forcepts.

Once the first baby has been born, the midwife

wil check the position of the second baby, who

providing all is well, should be born quite quickly

as the cervix is aready fully dilated.

When a Caesarean is needed

You may choose to have an elective Caesarean or

your consultant may recommend that you have a

Caesarean for medical reasons, or because one or

both of yoru babies are lying in a position which

prevents them from being born vaginally.

Sometimes a vaginal delivery is planned, but if

the babies become distressed during labour, an

emergency Caesarean will be required.

Very rarely a problem develops during a vaginal

birth after the first twin is born and an emergency

Caesarean is required to deliver the second baby.

Breastfeeding twins

As most twins are born before term, there is even

greater benefit to them being breastfed. You can

read more here about breastfeeding twins or more.

Getting help

Family and friends can be of great support and

they are usually more than happy to help if asked.

If you haven't got people nearby you can turn to,

talk to your health visitor or contact TAMBA (the

Twins and Multiple Births Association), who offer

professional support and a range of services, to

families with twins or multiple births.

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