Guidance for the obstetrician encountering a multiple pregnancy
Marziani, R.; Mossa, B.; Galeano, C.; Magnanti, G.; Domenici, R.
Minerva Ginecologica 45(9): 403-408
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4784 PMID: 8255500 Document Number: 416114
A retrospective review of multiple birth of higher order delivered at the Obstetric Clinic of University of Rome "La Sapienza" from 1982-1991 was performed. Comparison was made between this group (study group) and other published data. Since 1982 there has been more liberal use of abdominal delivery. Of the 25 multiple pregnancies, 17 were delivered by cesarean section (CS) and 8 by vaginal delivery. The corrected mortality rate in the study group was 19.2% (5/26) for vaginal delivery and 17.5% (10/57) for CS. Indication for CS was: elective (35%), fetal (18%) and maternal (47%). The main neonatal complications resulted from prematurity, and maternal noted complication were post-partum hemorrhage necessitating hysterectomy in one patient. The preferable mode of delivery cannot be stated dogmatically.