August 06, 2025

Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Expecting Twins

12 minutes

Once you find out that you are expecting twins, your mind races with tons of concerns and questions.

Whether you’ve had children already or not, a twin pregnancy brings new unknowns that frankly can be overwhelming. It’s time to talk with your doctor.

Talking to Your Doctor

You’ll want to find a good doctor that you can trust and with whom you can have a comfortable relationship. You need to feel comfortable asking any questions and asking follow-ups if you still have concerns.

But what should you ask when you go to the doctor?

Example Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Twin Pregnancy

What can I expect during my pregnancy with twins?

How will this pregnancy be different from a singleton pregnancy?

When should we expect to feel movement with our twins?

What are the risks associated with a twin pregnancy, and how can I manage them?

Are my doctor visits based on my actual due date or my realistic due date (measurements of both me and the babies)?

Mom’s Health During Pregnancy

How often will I need to see a doctor for prenatal care, and what tests will be performed?

How much weight I am I expected to gain? Exactly what does that mean in terms of how much more I should be eating?

How can I make sure I’m getting enough nutrients and calories to support two babies?

How much water should I drink each day?

Can I exercise? What kinds are approved for moms of “high risk” pregnancies?

What are the chances I’ll have to go on bed rest?

What is cervical length screening and when will you check mine?

Twins’ Health in Womb

What are the possible complications with twins and when should I worry?

Are my twins identical or fraternal, and how does this affect my care plan?

Do my twins share a placenta (monochorionic) or have separate placentas (dichorionic)?

How will you monitor for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) if my twins share a placenta?

How often will you measure each baby’s growth individually?

What happens if one twin is significantly smaller than the other?

How will you monitor for cord entanglement or compression?

Medication & Medical History:

Are any of my current medications unsafe for twin pregnancy?

How does my medical history (previous pregnancies, chronic conditions, family history) specifically impact twin pregnancy risks?

What over-the-counter medications should I avoid?

Genetic/Screening Questions:

Should we consider additional genetic testing given that we’re having twins?

How accurate are standard screening tests (like cell-free DNA testing) for twin pregnancies?

If one twin has a genetic condition, what are our options?

Work/Lifestyle Planning:

At what point in pregnancy should I plan to stop working or reduce hours?

What accommodations might I need at work during pregnancy?

When should we consider modifying daily activities or household responsibilities?

Specialized Care:

Will I need to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (perinatologist), and if so, when?

Should I work with a nutritionist or dietitian during my pregnancy?

What additional specialists might I need during this pregnancy?

Emergency Preparedness:

What’s your protocol if I go into labor when you’re not available?

Which emergency room should I go to if I have concerns outside office hours?

Should I have a backup birth plan if complications arise?

Delivery Planning:

Will my delivery be based on my actual due date or realistic twin pregnancy due date?

What is your policy on delivery timing for twins (at what week do you typically recommend delivery)?

If I’m planning a vaginal delivery, what happens if the first baby is born vaginally but the second needs a C-section?

What type of anesthesia options are available during twin delivery?

How many medical staff will be present during delivery, and what are their roles?

What is your experience delivering twins vaginally?

What are the chances that I will need a cesarean delivery, and what are the risks and benefits of this procedure?

How can I prepare for the birth of my twins, and what can I expect during labor and delivery?

What is your experience delivering twins via C-section? At how many weeks will you schedule a c-section?

Do you have rights to deliver at my hospital?

Does my hospital have at least a Level II NICU?

How flexible can my birth plan be given the unpredictability of twin delivery?

What decisions might need to be made quickly during delivery that I should think about now?

What happens if one or both babies are breech?

Practical Considerations:

What are the signs of pre-term labor I should be looking for? What do I do if I experience them?

What symptoms warrant an immediate call or trip to the hospital?

Should I take any additional supplements beyond standard prenatal vitamins?

Are there any specific warning signs unique to twin pregnancies I should know about?

What are your policies about travel during twin pregnancy?

How will you coordinate care if I need to be hospitalized before delivery?

What should I pack differently in my hospital bag for a twin delivery?

Postpartum:

How long should I expect to stay in the hospital after delivery, assuming no complications?

What are the common complications that can arise after the birth of twins, and how can they be treated?

What support resources do you recommend for new parents of twins?

How will breastfeeding twins be different, and what support is available?

What should I expect for my recovery compared to a singleton birth?

What does pediatric care look like immediately after birth for twins?

How soon after birth will I be able to hold both babies?

When will the babies’ first pediatrician appointment be scheduled?

What are the signs of postpartum depression/anxiety, especially with twins?

NICU Considerations:

What’s the likelihood my babies will need NICU care, and for how long?

Can you arrange a NICU tour before delivery?

What should I know about NICU policies for parents (visiting, feeding, etc.)?

Partner/Family Support:

What role should my partner play during appointments and delivery?

How can my partner best support me during this high-risk pregnancy?

What should family members know about helping during pregnancy and after birth?

Long-term Health:

Will having twins affect my future pregnancies?

What health risks should I monitor for myself long-term after a twin pregnancy?

Insurance/Financial:

What additional costs should we expect with twin pregnancy care?

Does insurance cover all the extra monitoring and potential NICU stays?

Make Your List of Questions

Take some time to review the list of questions above and note those that are important to you.

Also brainstorm with your spouse or partner the additional questions that you have. Write them down and take the list with you to your next doctor’s visit. This way you won’t forget in the moment what you wanted to ask.

Once you make your list, double check it to make sure you’ve got what you need.

I talk more health care concerns of the twin pregnancy in Chapter Two of my book, the Dad’s Guide to Twins: How to Survive the Twin Pregnancy and Prepare for Your Twins.

What other questions do you think expectant parents of twins should ask the doctor during the twin pregnancy? Leave a comment and let us know.

The post Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Expecting Twins appeared first on Dad's Guide to Twins.

...more

View all episodes

By Joe Rawlinson, twin pregnancy and raising twins expert

4.8

4040 ratings