Multiple births

If you’re carrying 2 or more babies, chances are your pregnancy won’t go past 38 weeks. Your delivery will probably require more than one health professional, including your doctor or midwife and often a pediatrician for each baby.

Giving birth to more than one baby is usually the same as giving birth to one, but your babies will be closely monitored. If you’re delivering vaginally, once the first baby is born, the second will take less time to come out.

If you’re having more than 2 babies, chances are that you will have a cesarean section. If you’ve experienced any medical issues that necessitate a cesarean birth, your delivery is often scheduled and you will know about that ahead of time. The position of your babies inside your womb can also be a determining factor as to the method of delivery. Occasionally the first twin may be born vaginally and the second needs an emergency cesarean delivery, but this is not very common.

Some doctors will want you to deliver in the operating room just as a precaution. But generally, twin births run smoothly and you’ll be holding your babies soon after delivery. If your babies come early, as many twins do, they might require a stay in the hospital. Because they are early, some of their systems might not be developed enough to function fully without some form of assistance. Twins tend to weigh less than a single baby and because your uterus has stretched to its full capacity, they often run out of room before they are full term.

Recovery from a cesarean delivery or vaginal delivery with multiples is generally the same as with a single baby. Our Baby+ App will explain you in detail how to recover from either vaginal birth or C-section.