Pregnant moms having twins can be best assured of a safe and healthy delivery if they go into labor at 37 weeks of pregnancy. Experts in a new study reveal that this is the ideal time for giving birth for twins, where the risk of death -- in both the mom and the baby -- are also most likely reduced.
A study, which was published by a team of international doctors via the journal BJM, looked into the records of 35,000 pregnancies involving twins. These records are for pregnancies that have occurred within the last 10 years.
The researchers aimed to determine the most optimal period for delivery for twins because it has never been done in any other previous studies. They also wanted to find ways to double up prevention efforts in stillbirths or neonatal deaths, particularly when being pregnant with twins poses increased complications and risks.
Based on the records, the researchers identified that "8.8 deaths per 1,000" deaths in dichorionic pregnancies, or twins with separate placentas in the womb, could be prevented if the babies are delivered during a 37-week gestation -- and not one week more. On the other hand, monochorionic pregnancies, or twins who share one placenta in the womb, should ideally be delivered during the 36-week gestation, as per Daily Mail.
Medical Daily reports that monochorionic pregnancies rarely occur in twin pregnancies, at 0.3 percent. Thus, the researchers were able to only gather sufficient date for dichorionic pregnancies.
Forbes reports that twin pregnancies are usually tested for chorionicity early on, so parents and doctors are aware of the fetus' condition. Given the scenario, experts hope that moms and their doctors discuss delivery options early in the pregnancy. "Timings should be discussed so a woman can make informed decisions about her birth plan where possible," the experts noted in their study.
