Parents expecting twins must access pertinent information

By Jyoti Pal

Specific information not imparted
Keith Reed, chief executive of the Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba), rued that parents-to-be did not have access to specific instructions on multiple pregnancies and that put both the mother and the children at risk.

He noted, “Even though multiple birth pregnancies are by their nature higher risk, two in three mothers are being denied access to multiple-specific parent education and tailored treatment that would significantly improve their babies' chances of a healthy outcome.”

Reed noted that due to this absent pertinent knowledge, the mothers as well as the new born children were more likely to experience complications. The risk of infant mortality also increased in such cases.

He questioned, "The Government talks about personalising the health service, but when are they going to take even basic steps to ensure healthy outcomes for multiple births?"

Tamba Health and Lifestyle Survey
Reed’s views come in the wake of the results of the 2008 Tamba Health and Lifestyle Survey.

The survey revealed that only a third of the expectant mothers of babies received situation specific knowledge, while two-thirds went on to deliver and nurture babies without access to fundamental information.

Reed asserted, “At the moment it is a matter of luck if parents-to-be get on to education classes tailored to multiple pregnancy to help prepare them. The rest are left scrabbling around on the internet for advice. This education should be the rule, not the exception."

Perils involved in multiple pregnancies
Even though in many multiple pregnancies, no complications are witnessed. Such pregnancies are generally classed under 'higher risk' giving the enhanced chances of premature birth. Furthermore, the mothers are also likely to experience post natal depression in such cases.

The specific education regarding multiple pregnancies would include, among other things, how to breast feed more than one mouth and impart strategies so that parents do not completely exhaust themselves through caring.

Multiple Births Foundation director Jane Denton said of parents expecting twins, “They need specific support to help them cope with the practicalities of having two or more new babies.”