Preparing for an appointment

If you're pregnant with conjoined twins, you'll be referred to a team of specialists to help guide you and create a treatment plan for your twins. Here's some information to help you get ready and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Before your appointment:

• Consider taking a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be hard to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who comes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Make a list of questions to ask your doctor. List your questions from most to least important to make the most of your appointment time.

Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What tests do my twins need?
• Where are my twins joined and what, if any, body organs do they share?
• What is the best treatment plan?
• Is separation an option? What is the likely outcome with separation?
• How many separation surgeries have you and your team performed, and how many have been successful? How does that compare with the national success rate?
• What are the alternatives to the treatment approach that you're suggesting?
• What specialists should be involved in the health care team?
• Are there any other specialists I should meet with?
• Where can I find support for my family?
• Are there printed materials that I can have? What websites do you recommend?
• If I choose to have more children, is there a chance they may also be conjoined?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor and health care team will review your conjoined twins' tests and exam results and discuss options with you. Together with your health care team, you can make decisions for your twins' treatment and care.