Delivering Triplets

Multiple births are not uncommon in the UK, and there are a number of differences between multiple and single births in terms of how the babies are delivered and when. In this article the focus is on triplet births and what you can expect if you are expecting triplets.

What is the difference between a single and triplet birth?

Multiple births carry with them their own risks and dangers, and because of the strain your body is under during delivery, a lot of these are to do with childbirth. These will be discussed in more detail in the following sections of this article.

Triplets will often be born prematurely (before the usual end of the 9 month period of pregnancy), which basically means that labour will begin earlier than usual. Triplets are usually born at about 34 weeks, and a very small percentage (about 1.5%) of all triplet pregnancies in the UK go past 36 weeks.

Special care and delivering triplets

Triplets are very likely to be born prematurely. Because of this they warrant special care and attention during and after delivery. Fortunately modern medicine has progressed in leaps and bounds in recent years, and as such many measures are now available for the safe and effective delivery of twins and triplets.

Premature babies often need specialist medical care, which is why if you are having triplets your doctor and midwife will probably advise you to give birth to your children in a hospital. Most pregnant women in the UK have the option of giving birth at home or at a local midwifery unit, however these locations lack the equipment and specialist staff that premature babies will often need for their safe delivery. For this reason, chances are that your doctor or midwife will advise you to opt for a hospital delivery.

How are triplets delivered?

How your triplets can be delivered will depend on your health during the pregnancy and during labour. Some women believe that you can only deliver triplets through a Caesarean Section. However this is not necessarily the case. In some instances, where your doctor or midwife deem it safe, vaginal births are performed. In some cases methods of assisted delivery, like, for example, suction or forceps, are needed for the same delivery of a baby.

C-Sections are often performed if medically necessary, or if a mother to be chooses to opt for the surgery.

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