Prediction of safe and successful vaginal twin birth

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to establish predictors of vaginal twin birth and evaluate perinatal morbidity according to mode of delivery.

Study design: One thousand twenty-eight twin pregnancies were prospectively recruited. For this prespecified secondary analysis, obstetric characteristics and a composite of adverse perinatal outcome were compared according to the success or failure of a trial of labor and further compared with those undergoing elective cesarean delivery. Perinatal outcomes were adjusted for chorionicity and gestational age using a linear model for continuous data and logistic regression for binary data.

Results: Nine hundred seventy-one twin pregnancies met the criteria for inclusion. A trial of labor was considered for 441 (45%) and was successful in 338 of 441 (77%). The cesarean delivery rate for the second twin was 4% (14 of 351). Multiparity and spontaneous conception predicted vaginal birth. No statistically significant differences in perinatal morbidity were observed.

Conclusion: A high prospect of successful and safe vaginal delivery can be achieved with trial of twin labor.