Twin & Multiple Pregnancy Care

Dr Duncan offers specialist care for twin and multiple pregnancies, which culminate with delivery at The Portland Hospital

Discovering you are expecting twins - or more - is exciting, and often comes with plenty of questions. Multiple pregnancies need closer monitoring and expert oversight, and this is one of Dr Duncan's areas of expertise. Over more than 30 years and 4,000 deliveries, he has cared for many families through twin and multiple pregnancies, combining sub-specialist expertise in Maternal and Fetal Medicine with a calm, reassuring and personal approach.

As your named consultant, Dr Duncan sees you at every appointment, performs your scans himself, and offers 24hr access to patients under his care - continuity that is especially valuable when a pregnancy needs a little more attention.

Why do multiple pregnancies need consultant-led care?

Carrying more than one baby increases the importance of regular, expert monitoring. Twins and multiples have a higher chance of certain complications - including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, growth differences between babies, and preterm delivery - which is why a consultant-led pathway with frequent scanning and review offers genuine peace of mind. With Dr Duncan, that monitoring is delivered personally and consistently, rather than by a rotating team, with early detection and treatment of any problems as they emerge.

Understanding your type of twin pregnancy

An important early step is to establish exactly what type of twin pregnancy you have. This is best done with a scan by a fetal medicine specialist, such as Dr Duncan, between 11 and 14 weeks, which determines two things:

• Chorionicity - whether your babies have their own placenta each or share one.
• Amnionicity - whether your babies are in their own amniotic sac each or share a sac.

Together these give the three main types of twin pregnancy:

• DCDA (dichorionic diamniotic) - each baby has their own placenta and their own sac.
• MCDA (monochorionic diamniotic) - the babies share one placenta but have their own sacs.
• MCMA (monochorionic monoamniotic) - the rarer type, where the babies share both the placenta and the sac.

For a fuller explanation of twin types, the signs of a twin pregnancy and how to stay well while carrying more than one baby, read Dr Duncan's full guide to twin pregnancy.

Why does twin type matter?

Knowing your twin type is about far more than whether your babies will look alike - it tells Dr Duncan the likelihood of particular complications developing, and shapes the best plan for managing your pregnancy. Monochorionic (shared- placenta) twin pregnancies, such as MCDA, are more complex than DCDA and carry an increased risk of transfusion between the twins, growth restriction and congenital abnormalities. These pregnancies therefore need extra care and closer monitoring throughout, which Dr Duncan will explain and tailor to you.

Your scanning and monitoring schedule with Dr Duncan

Multiple pregnancies are monitored more closely than singleton pregnancies. As a Fetal Medicine Specialist, Dr Duncan carries out detailed growth scans and Doppler assessments to check that each baby is growing well and that blood flow is healthy. For twins sharing a placenta, scans are carried out more frequently to watch for complications early. Every scan is performed personally by Dr Duncan, who takes the time to talk you through how each baby is doing.

Watching for complications

Close monitoring means that if any concern arises, it can be identified and acted upon promptly. Dr Duncan is experienced in recognising and managing issues such as differences in growth between babies (fetal growth restriction) and, in monochorionic twins, conditions related to the shared placenta such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Where highly specialised fetal intervention is required, he ensures rapid access to the right expertise and team.

Planning your delivery

Twins and multiples require thoughtful delivery planning, and Dr Duncan will discuss the safest and most appropriate approach for you - including the timing of birth and whether a vaginal birth or a caesarean section is recommended for your situation. By around 32 weeks, he will talk through the timing and possible mode of delivery with you, so there is a clear, agreed birth plan well ahead of time. As a strong supporter of choice in childbirth, he listens to your wishes and plans around them wherever it is safe to do so. Dr Duncan delivers at The Portland Hospital, the UK's only private hospital dedicated to women and children, with neonatal support on site should your babies need it.

What is included in your twin pregnancy care with Dr Duncan?

We offer dedicated twin and multiple pregnancy care as part of Dr Duncan's fixed-price privacy maternity care packages, which include regular consultant-led antenatal appointments, the more frequent scanning that multiples require, 24hr access to Dr Duncan, delivery at The Portland Hospital, and postnatal consultations as required. Twin pregnancies are charged at the same rate as singleton pregnancies, with no additional fees. Please see our fees page for more information.

Arrange a consultation

Expecting twins or more? Dr Duncan is delighted to offer an initial complimentary consultation to talk through your care, answer your questions, and plan the personal, consultant-led pathway ahead. Contact us today or book online.

Twin & Multiple Pregnancy Care FAQs

Written and medically reviewed by Dr Keith Duncan MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. Last reviewed 17 August 2026.