You will be offered some screening tests during pregnancy to try to find any health problems that could affect you or your babies, such as, infectious diseases, Edwards', Down's or Patau's syndrome, or physical abnormalities.

The tests can help you make choices about care or treatment during your pregnancy or after your babies are born.

The sonographer can take measurements during the routine scan at 10-14 weeks to assess the babies’ chances of having Down’s syndrome.

If you sign up for our FREE Twins Trust Pregnancy Countdown Tool the combined test and screening is discussed in week 10. Don't worry if you are past week 10 as this will still be available for you to read after you have signed up.

You can also find out more information on screening on the NHS website. 

It is important to read up on screening and write down any questions you may have so you can ask your consultant and midwife. This will help you make decisions that work best for you and your family.

Whether your babies are identical or non-identical and whether they share a placenta or not, is very important in understanding your options.

Making that decision can be difficult. You may like to speak with your hospital screening midwife or ARC antenatal results and choices.

More information can be found on **The Healthy Multiple Pregnancy guide** on the Twins Trust website.

There are also non-invasive DNA tests for Downs Syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau’s syndrome, often branded as the Harmony test (or NIFTY/SAFE test) available from 10 weeks. These are mainly available in the private sector as they are not yet widely available in NHS hospitals although some are participating in research.