When you find out you’re pregnant with multiples, hundreds of questions go through your mind. You’re constantly being told that your pregnancy is high risk and you want to know the care you’re getting is right.

That’s where Twins Trust can be by your side and help answer those baffling questions that keep you
awake at night.

Until you’re pregnant with multiples, you probably won’t have ever heard of the NICE guidelines. These are the standards that should be met by your maternity unit. That’s where the Twins Trust Maternity Engagement Project works for you.

Set up seven years ago, it’s a groundbreaking project which focuses on improving maternity care for multiple pregnancies. Twins Trust invites units across the country to be part of the project. Those who have participated have witnessed huge improvements, including a reduction in emergency caesarean sections and stillbirths.
Twins Trust works with maternity units across the UK to identify and implement changes to improve antenatal care for multiple pregnancies. Units are audited and supported to put an agreed action plan in place in line with NICE guidelines. Improvement tools are suggested, including support from consultant specialist midwives. Staff on the unit have access to plenty of resources including videos and case studies. A re-audit then takes place 12 months after the initial visit to look at progress made over the year.

Helen Peck, the charity’s Head of Healthcare Engagement and Research, said: “Multiple pregnancies make up 1.4% of all pregnancies but 6.6% of still births and 12.1% of neonatal deaths. The risk of preterm birth is also considerably higher, occurring in at least 50% of twin pregnancies, with twins facing six times the risk of cerebral palsy. “The final report of the first phase of the project (April 2019), showed that in only 12 months, units that participated in the project saw a 5.8% reduction in neonatal admissions, equating to a cost saving of £51k per unit and a 3.1% reduction in emergency caesarean sections. It has also been shown that over a longer time frame, significant reductions can be seen in stillbirths.”

Helen added: “When the project was externally evaluated, it found that 100% of units re-audited increased their overall adherence to the NICE quality standard between the baseline and follow-up audits. “Nine out of 10 professionals involved agreed that if they hadn’t done the Maternity Engagement Project, they wouldn’t have achieved as much positive change.

“Our approach is focussed on working in partnership with maternity units – both in person and virtually – and offers coaching and resources to enable change. We work with units to help overcome barriers and highlight solutions for change.

Don’t be afraid to ask your maternity unit if they have signed up to the Maternity Engagement Project. Also, make sure to download our antenatal check list to ensure that you’re getting the best possible care.