Twins - Do I still have a choice of midwife?

[dildals]

Hi

I am having twins (which is automatically classed as a high risk pregnancy) and my GP said that as a result all my care will be hospital based, including midwives. I didn't question it at the time and went to my booking appt at Midwives House. But does anyone know whether this is actually true? Midwives House may be liaised to King's but they are not necessarily more specialised or experienced in high risk pregnancies, are they? I have been reading on this forum about Oakwood and Lanes midwives and although I won't be in their catchment area anyway I quite like the idea of seeing one midwife thru your entire pregnancy and having her/him at the birth (which will not be the case with the midwives at Midwives House, she told me they don't do labours).

Anyone any ideas on this?

Thanks

[lstickler]

I'm with the lanes and I'm having twins. But I was signed up with the lanes before I realised I was having twins (found out at 12 weeks). But I have to say that although the lanes are great, I do feel like I am wasting their resource as all of my care, scans, consultants etc is being done at Kings. BTW, The lanes have never made me feel like this, it's just how I feel. If your gone 12weeks then it might be difficult to get in with the lanes anyway as they do fill up quite quickly. Hope you work it out for the best x

[KatDew]

I was signed up with the Brierly midwives with my twin pregnancy (before I knew it was twins) they couldn't get me out fast enough when they found out I was having twins.

Unfortunately I felt quite 'steam rollered' with my twin pregnancy and didn't feel I got a lot of choice or say in much of my care.

[Fuschia]

I was under kings for my twins but arranged care from independent midwives.

So they did my antenatal care at home, I saw the consultant at kings as needed - leonie Penna and they supported me through the birth at kings. I came home within a few hours and they did my postnatal care, deveral

Hours a day bf support at first, continued coming for a month

Made a huge difference to me

[nymom]

I am having twins and they share a placenta which makes it a high risk. I am with the Lanes. I do have scans every two weeks at kings and also see consultant every three to four weeks. However my lanes midwife has been wonderful, we have all of my regualr appointments at home etc. she has provided me with lots of support and info about the c section I need to have and has said that she will make every effort to be there with me on the day. She has never made me feel like I am wasting her time or resources. I did find out about the twins at 8 weeks and told the midwife at my first appointment and she was still very eager to keep me in her caseload. She has also told me there are a few other women currently on their books carrying twins.

[RobMiller]

Hi, congratulations on your imminent arrivals! We were with Oakwood, but as we had identical twins (and therefore a shared placenta) were advised from the start that the boys would be delivered by c-section. My wife also had fortnightly scans at Kings due to the higher risk.

If you haven't seen it already, the Expectant Parent guide on the Dulwich & District Twins Club website is really useful: http://ddtwinsclub.org/expectant-parents-pack/

[dildals]

Thanks for all your replies. I don't live in the catchment area for Lanes or Oakwood. I can't seem to find any midwives in my area at all, they seem scarce! I can always give my GP or NHS direct a call.

The services that Lanes and Oakwood offer, is this not also supplied by Midwives House? MH definitely won't attend the birth so that is one difference. It also seems that Oakwood / Lanes do a lot more aftercare. Is this specific to Oakwood/Lanes or can I find this service also with other midwives / MH?

I am also booked in with Leonie Penna - she is responsible for the twinnies at King's.

Any tips to keep control over your care at midwives/King's?

@Rob Miller - Days within finding out I had read the TAMBA website front to cover and found out about the existence ofthe Dulwich & District Twins Club. It made me feel SO much better! :-)

[Fuschia]

Dd, after you come home from hospital you get a few visits from midwives - if you are under a specific practice like the lanes, from them ... Otherwise from community midwives

[simonethebeaver]

I once chatted to a woman who had been referred to the Oakwood team even though she was out of catchment as she wanted to try a homebirth with twins. It might be worth contacting Oakwood to see if this is possible (I don't think I'm misremembering). I'm pretty sure. She was with Dr Yu at Kings who referred her, who I think is no longer there, but it may be you need to talk to the right consultant.

[RobMiller]

Glad that finding the club was useful dildals - keep an eye out for some changes which are coming soon to the club website. We're hoping to make it even more useful and accessible wherever you are (handy when you're trekking round the park with dozing newborns!).

And I thoroughly recommend having twins! It's really rewarding and loads of fun!!

[BellendenBear]

Which GP surgery are you registered with? I think most practices are linked to one of the Kings community teams so you should be able to have your midwife care through them.

Like KatDew I was booked with Brierly until I found out I was having twins. They saw me one more time after the 12 week scan and told me that I need to register with a different team as I can not have a home birth. I think that this is fair enough as they are a wonderful resource and it is only fair that someone else on their waiting list can have the chance to have a home birth as I did last time.

I have booked to see the midwife at my GP surgery (East team) in a few weeks. I have left this a while as in the meantime I have been seen by Leonie Penna's team and also have loads of scans. So many appointments!