Within this information, we may use the terms "woman" and "women". However, we recognise that not only people who identify as women may want to access this content. Your care should be personalised, inclusive and sensitive to your needs, whatever your gender identity.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) runs one of only a few dedicated multiple pregnancy clinics in the country. We're here to support you if you're pregnant with two or more babies. We want you to feel cared for, empowered and informed throughout your pregnancy, and we'll be with you every step of the way.
There will be more appointments for multiple pregnancies than for women pregnant with one baby. It's important that you attend all your appointments because of the increased risks that come with multiple pregnancies.
Our team includes:
- a lead specialist multiple pregnancy/foetal medicine consultant
- specialist multiple pregnancy/foetal medicine midwives
- a specialist multiple pregnancy/foetal medicine maternity care assistant
- your community midwife
This service is based at Heartlands Hospital, with appointments held in the antenatal clinic.
Attending your appointment
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Please being a fresh mid-stream urine sample to all appointments at the multiple pregnancy clinic.
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Please attend 30 minutes before your appointment time to allow us to check your blood pressure and urine.
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As we provide personalised care to each patient, appointments can last a long time. You may want to bring a drink, a snack and something to read or do.
Different types of twins
For medical purposes, there are three types of twins. These apply to triplets too, although a triplet pregnancy will be more complex than a pregnancy with twins.
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Dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins
Each baby has their own separate placenta and separate sac.
All non-identical twins and some identical twins are DCDA.
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Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins
Babies share a single placenta but have their own separate sacs.
Most identical twins are MCDA.
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Monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins
A rare pregnancy type where babies share both a placenta and a sac.
Very rarely, identical twins are MCMA.
Check-ups and scans for multiple pregnancy
As well as these standard schedules, additional appointments may be needed if your pregnancy becomes more complex.
Routine appointment schedule for MCDA twin/triplet pregnancy
| 16 weeks | Antenatal check with specialist multiple pregnancy consultant and midwife |
|---|---|
| 18 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 20 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check, including blood tests to check for anaemia |
| 22 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 24 weeks | Consultant review, scan and possibly a trans-vaginal scan to assess the risk of pre-term labour (earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy), and antenatal check with midwife |
| 26 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 28 weeks | Departmental scan and antenatal check with specialist multiple pregnancy midwife, including a blood test |
| 30 weeks | Departmental scan and antenatal check with specialist multiple pregnancy midwife |
| 32 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check, including a discussion regarding mode of delivery (how the baby will be born) |
| 34 weeks | Departmental scan and antenatal check with specialist multiple pregnancy midwife |
| 36 – 37 weeks | Delivery (birth) recommended |
Routine appointment schedule for DCDA twin/triplet pregnancy
| 11 – 13 + 6 weeks | First consultant scan and routine antenatal check with midwife |
|---|---|
| 16 weeks | Routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 20 weeks | Departmental ultrasound scan, blood test to check for anaemia, and routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 24 weeks | Consultant scan and review, including a trans-vaginal scan to assess the risk of pre-term labour (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 28 weeks | Departmental ultrasound scan and routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 32 weeks | Consultant scan and review, discussion on plan of delivery (birth) and routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 34 weeks | Routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 36 weeks | Departmental growth scan and routine antenatal check with midwife |
| 37 – 38 weeks | Delivery (birth) recommended |
Routine appointment schedule for MCMA twin/triplet pregnancy
| 16 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
|---|---|
| 18 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 20 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check, including blood test to check for anaemia |
| 22 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 24 weeks | Consultant review, scan and possible trans-vaginal scan to assess the risk of pre-term labour (earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy) and antenatal check with midwife |
| 26 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife, including discussion regarding mode of delivery (how your baby will be born) |
| 28 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife, including blood tests |
| 30 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 32 weeks | Consultant review, scan and antenatal check with midwife |
| 32 – 34 weeks | Delivery (birth) recommended |
Integrated care
In order to provide seamless care for women and their families, we work closely with a range of other professionals. This includes the Women’s Genetics, Laboratories and Antenatal Screening teams and Children’s hospital staff (paediatric physicians and surgeons from all specialties).
More information on multiple pregnancies
There's a lot of confusing and misleading information available online. We recommend the following sites as a good starting point for reliable information on multiple pregnancy.
Twins Trust provides access to courses, parenting information, clubs, an online community and other support.
The NHS website features lots of authoritative information on multiple pregnancies, including associated risks.
- Pregnant with twins (NHS website)
- Antenatal care with twins (NHS website)
- Giving birth to twins or more (NHS website)
Maternity Assessment Centre, Good Hope Hospital
Pregnancy Assessment Emergency Room, Heartlands Hospital
Multiple pregnancy/foetal medicine services
Delivery Suite, Heartlands Hospital
Day Assessment Unit, Heartlands Hospital
Antenatal clinics
Last reviewed: 29 March 2023