What should you know about preterm labour twins?

The team may monitor each baby's heartbeat, your contractions, cervical change and your general condition. Ultrasound can help assess position, growth and fluid. The babies may not be lying in the same position, so the birth plan depends on their positions, gestational age and how labour develops.

If early birth is possible, antenatal corticosteroid injections may be discussed to support fetal lung preparation. A cervical cerclage is considered only in selected circumstances and is not a general treatment for active labour.

Call your maternity unit immediately for regular tightenings, pelvic pressure, backache, bleeding or fluid loss. Record the timing of tightenings and bring your pregnancy notes. Avoid inserting anything into the vagina after suspected fluid loss unless a clinician advises it.

In hospital, you may receive monitoring, tests for infection and medicines chosen for your situation. Ask how the plan protects both babies, whether a neonatal specialist will review you and what mode of birth may be considered if labour progresses.

Get urgent maternity care for leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding, painful or regular contractions, fever, severe abdominal pain or reduced movement from either baby. Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, faintness, severe illness or a feeling that birth is happening now.

Ask how each baby is positioned, whether your cervix has changed, whether your membranes are intact, what monitoring is needed and which medicines may help if early birth is possible. Clarify who to call overnight.