International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Mothers expecting multiple pregnancy twins or more must be fully informed about all aspects of their care throughout the pregnancy, it has been claimed.

Jane Denton, director of the UK Multiple Births Foundation, said in particular, attendance at multiple specific antenatal education classes is "extremely important".

"It's important to have within each maternity service a policy or guidance on how multiple pregnancies are managed in their entirety by the multi-disciplinary team," she noted.

Ms Denton went on to say that, on the whole, antenatal classes are "excellent", although there are some providers that need to improve in terms of how much information they provide about multiple births.

"Professionals, midwives, obstetricians and the members of the multidisciplinary team need to realise that specific care is needed," she added.

According to the Twins and Multiple Births Association, two thirds of parents of twins and multiple births in the UK are being denied access to vital information that would improve their prospects of a healthy pregnancy and birth.