ABSTRACT
A specific protocol of delayed interval was used in all 73 twin pregnancies complicated by delivery of the first fetus between 16 and 31 weeks of gestation since 1991 to the present. We excluded from further analysis those pregnancies in which a cesarean section had to be performed, labor progressed or specific contraindications such as ongoing infection were present. During this period, 41% of all these multiple pregnancies were included, resulting in a study population of 30 women with twin pregnancies. The mean maternal age of these patients was 30.4 (range 23-41) years. When preterm delivery was anticipated, women were asked to give informed consent and were treated according to a fixed protocol, in which four phases can be distinguished: phase 1, preparation; phase 2, delivery of the first baby; phase 3, period between the births of the first and remaining fetus(es); and phase 4, delivery of the last multiple including evaluation of placenta. Each phase is characterized by specific measures that have to be taken.
