Objectives: According to the literature the frequency of twins is increasing due to technics af assisted reproduction. Many complications of pregnancy and delivery are more likely to develop during multiple pregnancy.
Design: Aim of the study was to analyze labour and delivery in multiple pregnancy and assess the neonate's condition.
Materials and methods: Authors analyzed labour and delivery and neonate's condition in twin pregnancies in Medical University of Gdansk, Poland in 1991-1995 with birth weight at least 1000g. We assessed women's age, fetuses presentation, week of pregnancy at the delivery, mode of delivery, Apgar score, weight and crown-rump length after birth and early neonatal period.
Results: Mean age of pregnant women was 30.0 years (18-43). Mean birth weight for the first fetus was 2412 + 601 g and for the second one--2485 + 630 g. Mean SI for the first fetus was 49.8 + 4.4cm, for the second one--50.0 + 4.15 cm. Apgar core was analyzed separately for the first and the second twin according to the presentation and mode of delivery--we found better condition of the second babies delivered from transverse presentation by the cesarean section comparing to those born vaginally. 73% of the pregnancies with the first fetus in the cephalic presentation were delivered vaginally, in other situations--cesarean section was preferred.
Conclusions: At the transverse presentation of the second twin elective cesarean section seems better for the second twin.