When you have more than one baby, it’s important to know your choices for giving birth. Talk to your midwife or consultant/doctor about how you want to give birth. They can help you decide if a vaginal or caesarean birth is advised, when they know what kind of twins/triplets you are having. They will also help you to decide the safest time for the birth.
In the UK, many twins and almost all triplets are born by caesarean birth. You might choose a caesarean birth if the babies are not in the right position, or if you had problems during a previous birth.
You can have a natural birth with twins too but there may be medical reasons why is not advised for your babies. If you do, it helps to have an epidural for pain relief and just in case you need an emergency caesarean-section, but you can talk about it with your midwife or consultant/doctor.
During labour, your midwives and doctors will use electronic fetal monitoring to keep a close watch on your babies’ heartbeats because having twins can have more risks. You will usually have more midwives, doctors and neonatal nurses for a multiple birth.
If you have three or more babies inside, the doctors will most likely suggest the caesarean-section as it’s the safest way for them to be born.
