Losing all your babies from a twin or triplet pregnancy can have huge emotional repercussions. The grief can be immense and long-lasting, as it involves the loss of your babies' lives and the hopes and dreams of raising multiples.

Loss can be particularly painful if there was hope that one or more of your babies was going to survive, or you're given the devastating news that your babies have a condition that means they will die shortly after birth.

You are not alone

Living with the uncertainty of whether your baby or babies will be stillborn or whether they may live for a few days, weeks or months can be extremely distressing. You may not know whether you'll be able to say hello and goodbye or to hold your babies together. This can be heartbreaking.

Remember

You are not alone. While your babies will always be in your thoughts, you may find more peace and joy in the future.

Online community offers support to mother after death of two sets of twins

"I was pregnant with identical twin girls in 2019; it was our first pregnancy and we were so excited. In May, at 16 weeks however, we sadly lost both of them. We were absolutely devastated."

Personal experiences, Bereavement, Loss during pregnancy

The causes of loss

Multiple pregnancies carry risks not associated with singleton pregnancies. More complications can occur, possibly resulting  in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Potential causes of losing your babies can include:

• Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS): TTTS occurs in identical twins who share a placenta. It happens when there's an imbalance in blood flow between the twins, leading to one twin receiving too much blood (the 'donor' twin) and the other receiving too little (the 'recipient' twin). If left untreated, TTTS can result in the loss of one or both twins. For more information on TTTS please read our Complications booklet.
• Infections: Infections such as intrauterine infections or urinary tract infections can pose a risk to both babies in a twin or triplet pregnancy, particularly if left untreated or if they lead to complications such as premature rupture of membrane or premature labour.
• Premature birth and complications: In some cases, the loss of one twin or triplet may trigger a premature labour or other complications that increase the risk of harm to the surviving twin or triplet. Premature birth itself carries significant risks, including respiratory problems, brain haemorrhage and other issues that can be life-threatening for premature babies.
• Placental complications: Issues such as placenta abruption (the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall) or placenta previa (when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix) can increase the risk of pregnancy loss in twin or triplet pregnancies.
• Cervical issues: A weak cervix or an 'incompetent' cervix - in which the cervix begins to dilate prematurely - potentially leads to premature labour or pregnancy loss. It can be more common in multiple pregnancies due to the increased pressure on the cervix.

In some cases, you might lose a baby or babies without a clear explanation. Despite medical advances, there are still cases where the exact cause of pregnancy loss is unknown.

Next: How might I feel after my babies die?