Musgrove Park Hospital’s twin clinic celebrates its second birthday

Scores of parents of twins came together this summer for a special picnic to celebrate the second birthday of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s (FT) twin clinic, which is led by consultant gynaecologist and fetal medicine lead, Dr Kat Harrison-Tvarozkova.

In Somerset, about 1.5 per cent of all pregnancies are twins and the clinic has been supporting expecting mums since April 2021 – with clear improvements in the outcomes of twins under their care.

Since the clinic launched, the number of emergency c-sections for twin mothers at Musgrove is at just 9 per cent, compared to the national average of over 30 per cent.

Women expecting twins are at greater risk of complications and need close monitoring with additional scans and appointments.

At the twin clinic, the expectant mum’s care is monitored by the same team, which helps them to build up a strong relationship with their named midwife and consultant.

They're seen by an obstetrician who specialises in multiple pregnancies, and will also put a robust care plan put in place – this includes planning for pre-term labour, which is when mothers go into labour earlier than planned, as this is more common in twin pregnancies.

The concept and implementation of the clinic were led by Dr Harrison-Tvarozkova, as well as Lorraine James, antenatal clinic midwife, Julie Austin Thompson, Tracy Brick, and Leanne Renhard, all screening team members, and Lynn Borthwick, former antenatal clinic lead, who has now left the trust.

The number of twins who need further care at Musgrove Park Hospital’s neonatal unit has reduced to 11 per cent, lower than the national average of 37 per cent.

This means more babies can go home with their mothers and siblings earlier, ready to begin life at home.

The team’s work has been praised by the nationally accredited ‘Twins Trust’, which showed that the team's vision, hard work, and dedication had paid off, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents.