Professor With a Long Standing Professional Interest in Twins

Professor Mark Kilby is a consultant in fetal medicine at the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Hilda Lloyd Chair of Fetal Medicine at University of Birmingham in the U.K. His specialist research includes fetal endocrinology, fetal therapy and the management of complex monochorionic twins.

What inspired you to write your book targeted at couples expecting twins?

“I have a long standing professional interest in twins and multiple pregnancy. In 2005, I was asked by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to convene a Scientific Committee to examine evidence on the way obstetricians and midwives manage twin pregnancy. This was a successful meeting that involved experts from all over the world. We met in London for four days and produced a document on the best aspects of antenatal and postnatal care of women with twin and triplet pregnancy. From this meeting, I was requested to author an evidence based document focusing upon the management of the most high risk twin and triplet pregnancies: monochorionic pregnancies. This was initially published in 2008. I then chaired a NICE Guideline Development Group that would review evidence and set out best practice care for women with twin and triplet pregnancies. We also outlined how this should be delivered and implemented to women by healthcare professions in the UK. Although, this rather technical document, had a lay summary, both myself and Jane Denton* felt that a non-technical explanation of twin pregnancy was required.  We wanted a guide to answering common ’day to day’ questions couples have as they progress through the twin pregnancy and the normal routine outcomes as well as potential problems. In collaboration with our publisher, the idea for the book Expecting Twins? (One Born Every Minute) was conceived and then published in 2013.”

*Jane Denton is the co-author of the book. She is the Director of the Multiple Births Foundation.

What do you believe is the strength of the book?

“The book is written as a comprehensive, non-technical guide to all matters relating to twin pregnancy – from conception, right through pregnancy related areas, through birth and the postnatal care for women and their babies. It covers medical facts, uncomplicated and complex twin pregnancies. It also covers organisational issues that parents will face both during the pregnancy itself and once the twins are born. It is written in clear, non-technical language with numerous illustrative photographs. The book was written primarily for couples expecting a twin pregnancy but equally may appeal to midwives, doctors and carers for women who are expecting twins.”

Are you planning to write more books about twins?

“As a sub-specialist and Professor of Fetal Medicine, I manage complications of monochorionic twins on a day to day basis. Some of these pregnancies are very complex, such as those complicated by Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. I am presently the senior topic adviser for NICE, revising and further developing the national NICE guidance on the management of twin and triplet pregnancy. I also work closely with the Twin and Multiple Births Association and the Multiple Birth Foundation to improve education and maternity standsards surrounding care of twin and triplet pregnancies. I also have a second edition of a medical textbook, Fetal Therapy: Scientific basis and critical appraisal of clinical benefits, being published by the end of the year. It contains chapters on the management of complex twins.”

Book about expecting twins

You may also like...