MULTIPLE GESTATION - TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN DELIVERY OF THE 1ST AND 2ND TWINS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (4) , 502-506
Abstract
A clinical investigation was undertaken to challenge the commonly accepted view that the interval between the birth of the 1st and 2nd twins should be preferably within 15 min and certainly no more than 30 min. During 1981 and 1982, 115 patients with live-born twins at .gtoreq. 34 wk gestation underwent an attempted vaginal delivery at 4 regional perinatal centers. The interval between vaginal delivery of the 1st and 2nd twins (mean, 21 min, range, 1-134 min) was .ltoreq. 15 min in 70 (61%) cases and > 15 min in 45 (39%) cases. Excluding conditions associated primarily with prematurity, all 2nd twins delivered beyond 15 min did well despite the delay and had no signs of excess trauma or low 5-min. Apgar scores. Maternal complications were also uncommon, although combined vaginal-abdominal delivery was more frequent if there was a delay of > 15 min (8 of 45 vs. 2 of 70, P < 0.02). If there is continuous fetal and uterine monitoring, a time restriction for the delivery interval between the 1st and 2nd infants is not necessary.

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