Twin pregnancies, which make up approximately 1-2% of all
pregnancies, have increased in the last twenty years. The main reason for the
increase in twin pregnancies is the increase in IVF applications and other
infertility treatments. Approximately a quarter of all twin pregnancies occur
spontaneously in recent years. Half of them are due to in vitro fertilization
applications and the remaining one fourth is related to treatments such as
vaccination and ovulation induction.
Factors
affecting normal delivery or cesarean option in twin pregnancies:
One of the most important factors is the posture of babies.
Twin babies enter the birth canal in turn, the first baby entering the channel
with vertex increases the chance of normal birth. It is most preferred that
both babies are in a head-down position for normal delivery. If the first baby
enters the canal with breech, normal delivery is not possible but not
preferred, mostly cesarean is preferred.
Sometimes, although the first baby is born normally, the
birth of the second baby may not be possible and cesarean surgery is performed
for the second baby.
- How many weeks of gestation at the time of birth
- Estimated weight of babies: For very low birth weight twin
babies (VLBW, below 1500 grams), some researchers suggest cesarean delivery but
there is still no consensus.
- Developmental retardation in babies or other complications
seen in twin pregnancies
- Mother having hypertension, diabetes and other systemic
diseases
- Amniotic water supply (PPROM)
- Oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios
While 70% of twin pregnancies in the world were delivered
with normal birth in the 1980s, the rate of cesarean increased in twins as in
singleton pregnancies today. Today, depending on countries and hospitals,
approximately 70-80% of twin babies are born by cesarean section. Even in some
hospitals, routine cesarean is applied to almost all twin babies. There are
several reasons for this increase. For example, nowadays, most of the twin babies
are obtained with IVF application and caesarean section is in the foreground.
In approximately 40% of twin pregnancies, both babies are in
vertex position. These are the group in which normal birth is most successful.
In 40% of twin pregnancies, the first baby is head-down, but the second baby is
in breech or transverse position. Normal delivery or cesarean decision can be
made in this group. In the remaining 20%, both babies stand non-head-down,
almost always cesarean is preferred.
When does
the birth take place in twin babies?
The duration of a normal singleton pregnancy is 40 weeks and
mostly deliveries take place around 38-40 weeks. However, in twin pregnancies,
births take place in earlier weeks. About seventy percent of twin pregnancies
are born between 35-38 weeks of gestation.
Twin babies are generally considered ideal for giving birth
in 37-38 weeks if there is no problem in pregnancy. Some sources suggest that
monochorionic (single common placenta) babies are delivered one week earlier.
-WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO HAVE TWIN PREGNANCY?
-IDENTICAL TWINS
-FRATERNAL TWINS
-TRIPLET PREGNANCY
-NORMAL BIRTH OR CESAREAN IN TWIN PREGNANCIES?
-TWIN TO TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME
-CAN THERE BE TWIN BABIES FROM DIFFERENT FATHERS?
-CAN ANOTHER PREGNANCY OCCUR DURING PREGNANCY?
-VANISHING TWIN SYNDROME
-FETUS IN FETU (FIF)
-CHIMERISM
