Multiple Births

Multiple births means being pregnant with more than one baby. Multiples are increasing in the United States, because more women are having babies after age 30 and more are taking fertility drugs. A family history of twins also makes multiple births more likely. Most women will know early in pregnancy if they are carrying multiples. If so, they will need to see their health care providers more often than women who are expecting a single baby. Multiples’ risk of being born prematurely and having a low birth weight is much higher than single babies. Multiples may be delivered by Caesarean section, especially if there are more than two babies. 

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists at the University of Alabama Birmingham Women & Infants Center are available on-site 24 hours a day to manage problems associated with high-risk pregnancies. Our physicians are experts at managing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, Rh sensitization, multiple births, premature delivery risk, and other potential complications. 

MFM specialists at the UAB have access to treatments that often are not yet available elsewhere, which can reduce the chance of a recurrent preterm birth by one-third to one-half. We are one of the nation’s most advanced MFM programs, as evidenced by being one of only 14 centers participating in the national Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network for high-risk pregnancy research. To support our research we developed Alabama’s first OB/GYN Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, which implemented the first comprehensive first-trimester screening program and the first integrated first- and second-trimester screening program for fetal abnormalities.

Patients at UAB have access to the most up-to-date care, including first-trimester diagnosis, genetic testing and counseling, and 4D-ultrasound and fetal imaging. UAB’s team includes only board-certified MFM specialists as well as specialists with genetics certification. Our program also includes a personal labor nurse and three anesthesia specialists.

Care Providers

Janeen Arbuckle, MD, PhD Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

Ashley Battarbee, MD Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Margaret Boozer, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Brian Brocato, DO Maternal and Fetal Medicine Brian Gleason, MD Gynecology Kim Hoover, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Tom Howard, MD Pediatric Hematology, Pediatric Medical Oncology, Pediatrics Todd Jenkins, MD Gynecology Chere' Stewart, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology Akila Subramaniam, MD Maternal and Fetal Medicine Carolyn Webster, MD Maternal and Fetal Medicine Audra Williams, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology

Resources

• UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• womenshealth.gov – Multiple Births
• Medline Plus – Multiple Births
• Warning Signs of Post-Birth Complications

Related Specialties

• Breastfeeding Support
• Cesarean Section
• Comprehensive Addiction in Pregnancy Program
• Gestational Diabetes
• High Risk Pregnancy
• Maternal and Fetal Medicine
• OBGYN Services
• Preeclampsia
• Pregnancy and Heart Disease
• Prematurity
• Women & Infants Services