A project with multiple benefits

Latest data show that multiple births make up 1.5% of all births in the UK (National Records of Scotland, 2017; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 2017; Office for National Statistics, 2019).

Although the overall number of multiple births has decreased slightly, the birth rate is still historically high. The major concern for the Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba), is that the most recent figures show multiple stillbirths, as a percentage of all stillbirths, has risen. This is in spite of growing evidence that shows that good care can reduce stillbirths, neonatal deaths and neonatal admissions in multiple pregnancies.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2011; 2013) has published antenatal care guidelines and quality standards (QS46) to improve the quality and consistency of clinical care. However, there is still an excessive variation in their implementation.