Twin & Triplet Ultrasound

Women expecting twins (or triplets) need more frequent and specialiszed twin ultrasound scans, because of the special risks that come with multiple pregnancies.

Dr Walsh has extensive experience in twin ultrasound. He helped to run a specialist ultrasound clinic for high-risk twins in Ireland and he now runs a dedicated Twins Clinic here in St Leonards. In addition to twin ultrasound services, he provides comprehensive private antenatal care, labour & birth management, and postnatal follow-up for multiple pregnancies.

You will need an early ultrasound (around 9-10 weeks) to identify the type of twins or triplets you are expecting. The recommended schedule of scans for the rest of your pregnancy depends on this result.

Dichorionic-Diamniotic (DCDA) twins

  • The most common type of twins (80%). Each twin has their own sac and own placenta.
  • DCDA twins should have the usual 12 week and 20 week ultrasounds. From 24 weeks onward, it is recommended DCDA twins have regular growth scans every 3-4 weeks.

Monochorionic-Diamniotic (MCDA) twins

  • MCDA twins are identical and the twins share a placenta. There is a 10-15% risk of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS, a very serious complication).
  • International best practice is for MCDA twins to be scanned every 2 weeks, from 16 weeks onward. MCDA twins should also have the usual 12 week and 20 week ultrasounds.

Monochorionic-Monoamniotic (MCMA) twins and triplet pregnancies

  • MCMA twins (who share one placenta and one sac) and triplets are very rare. These pregnancies are extremely high-risk and should be managed by a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist.

We offer the full range of specialist obstetric ultrasound scans. Please click on the links below for more information :

Twin & Triplet Ultrasound