My Care During Pregnancy and Beyond
Twins
Q. How many sets of twins/triplets were born in my local maternity unit?
The numbers twins born in Irish maternity units varied from 13 sets in one unit to 356 in another. Triplets born varied from one set in one unit to three sets in another. There were no larger multiple births reported in 2009
| Twins | no unit chosen |
| Triplets | no unit chosen |
Q. What additional services and supports are available to me during my pregnancy care?
Only half of the units answered this question. Four of those units have a specialised clinic or a team of medical professionals to care for women having twins or other multiples.
| no unit chosen |
Q. Does my local maternity unit provide an antenatal course specifically for parents expecting twins or other multiples?
Five maternity units have antenatal courses specifically designed for parents expecting twins or more. Partners are welcome in all of these courses. The number of parents varies from 5 to 20. The courses vary in length from one class per course to 3 classes per course. The classes are on average 2 hours long. None of the units charge for these courses.
| Antenatal course | no unit chosen |
| Number of classes | no unit chosen |
| Length of course | no unit chosen |
| Time and location | no unit chosen |
| Average number of parents | no unit chosen |
Q. If either or both of my babies needed to be in the special care unit, is there additional support given to parents of twins or more?
100% of units stated they provide extra support for parents of twins or more.
This form of support seems to vary from the provision of leaflets to contact with the relevant associations, to extra support with feeding to total holistic care given to all parents by a multidisciplinary team.
| Details of support | no unit chosen |
Q. What proportion of twins are born vaginally and by caesarean birth in my maternity unit?
The lowest rate of vaginal births for twins that we were given was 23.9% and the highest rate was 80.6% so there’s quite a difference! The table below gives the figures and where possible the breakdown for those mothers giving birth for the first time and those who have given birth before.