Earlier Birth Recommended for Twins

A new study suggests that women pregnant with twins should elect to give birth at 37 weeks gestation to avoid serious complications.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide (Australia) conducted a controlled trial involving 235 women with uncomplicated twin pregnancy at maternity hospitals across Australia, New Zealand, and Italy. Participants were randomized to elective birth at 37 weeks of gestation versus standard care, with continued expectant management until birth planned from 38 weeks. All women had no contraindication to continuing their pregnancy.  

The researchers found that babies born to women in the early birth group (37 weeks) were significantly less likely to be small for their gestational age compared with babies born to women in the standard care group (38 weeks or later). The results also showed a trend towards a reduction in the primary composite of serious adverse infant outcomes. The study was published on June 13, 2012, in the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (BJOG).

“We found that at 37 weeks, elective birth is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of serious morbidity for infants, without increasing complications related to immaturity or induction of labor,” said lead author Prof. Jodie Dodd, MBBS, PhD, and colleagues of the Australian Research Center for Health of Women and Babies (ARCH). “We hope this study will help clinicians to make recommendations to women with healthy twin pregnancies that lead to less complications at birth, and therefore lead to happier, healthier lives for their babies.”

Twins typically suffer from the lower birth weights and greater likelihood of prematurity that is more commonly associated with the higher multiple pregnancies. Nearly all low birth weight babies need specialized care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until they gain weight and are well enough to go home.

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