NHS Suffolk and North East Essex - Labour and Birth Booklet

15 What to expect in labour and birth are recommended to reduce the risk of developing blood clots after surgery. For information about having an emergency caesarean birth, see page 33 of this booklet. For more information visit: • NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/what-happens/ • National Childbirth Trust www.nct.org.uk/birth/what-happens-during-elective-or-emergency- caesarean-section • RCOG: Choosing to have a caesarean www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/choosing-to-have-a- caesarean-section/ Birth with twins During pregnancy you will have an appointment to discuss your options for the birth of your twins. More than 40 per cent of twins are born vaginally with the remainder being born by either planned or emergency caesarean. In some cases a planned caesarean will be recommended, for example, if your babies share one placenta, or the first baby is in the breech (bottom first) position. During labour, it is recommended that your babies have continuous electronic fetal monitoring, as the risk of complications during labour is higher for twins. It may also be recommended that you have an epidural, in case you require an emergency caesarean birth quickly. There will be more people at the birth of twins, often two midwives, two obstetricians and two neonatal doctors.