Care of Twins, Multiple Births and Support for the Family: A Detailed Background

Abstract

The majority of women pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets or more) do not experience complications, but sadly, every day in the United Kingdom (UK) at least one baby from a multiple pregnancy dies. As healthcare professionals, we need to try and understand what these parents who suffer such a specific loss go through, if we are to confront the extremely difficult challenge that it presents to those responsible with caring for them and their babies. Gaining insight into parents’ perspectives can directly influence practice and the way we care for those families suffering the loss of a twin, or multiple whilst continuing to care for the surviving sibling(s). In this unique, but sadly not rare situation, we as healthcare professionals can and must offer individualised care to these families during what is an emotionally challenging time in their lives. If we get it right, we have a chance to provide high quality support to parents and families at a time of unparalleled hurt, pain and loss where the impact upon their lives can be phenomenal and profound, compounding the grief experienced. Equally if we fail to acknowledge and understand the complexities of the situation parents are facing, then the consequences can be devastating, overwhelming and lifelong. There is so much we can learn from listening to parents’ experiences and from attempting to view a situation from a family’s perspective. This should then allow us to improve the care we offer and share our knowledge and experience as models of consistently good care and working collaboratively with parents and develop learning resources and tools.