Double's no trouble thanks to new twin clinic at UHNM

Mums expecting twins are set to benefit from a new clinic at UHNM. They will now be cared for by a named consultant with a special interest in multiple pregnancies. Two dedicated midwives  - Abigail Brocklehurst (left) and Anna O'Rourke (right) - will also be on hand to help manage the specialist service and offer checks, advice and support.

Anna O’Rourke, Continuity of Carer Midwife for Multiple Pregnancy, said: “Having twins carries more risk than a standard pregnancy because there can be issues with growth or pre-term labour. There is also an increased chance of things like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. So it’s really important that women who are expecting twins or have a multiple pregnancy receive specialist care. And the evidence demonstrates that continuity of care within this specialist framework makes a real difference to the safey and wellbeing of mums and their babies.”

Previously, twin pregnancies would be seen at the hospital by different consultants rather than a specialised named one. They may also have been scanned at different locations and a patient would see any community midwife. The new care package means they will now see less people and have a more individualised care plan directed towards multiple pregnancy.

Abigail Brocklehurst, Continuity of Carer Midwife for Multiple Pregnancy, said: “Patients will be referred as soon as a multiple pregnancy is picked up and we will take over their care from as early as possible. This will involve us booking women in, arranging their scans and seeing them throughout their journey at regular intervals, providing all antenatal care.

“Myself and Anna will aim to see the women if they are in hospital for any reason during their pregnancy and we also hope to be there for the delivery and to provide postnatal care. This means greater continuity for the patient, which has been proven to result in better, safer care with positive outcomes. This is the first time this sort of service has been put into place for multiple pregnancies at UHNM so it is very exciting. It has been used in other trusts with positive and encouraging results for patients, so we are really looking forward to being involved.”