Arguments/Research for delivering at 38 weeks and not later?

On another post some people mentioned infant mortality rate for twins going up if delivered after 38 weeks. Does anyone have any links to websites or any references on this? I would like to read up on it! TIA!

 

google it...you'll find lot's. Or, almost any book about twin pregnancy will verify that.

 

I like this study. It basically shows that there is a major difference between outcome for 36-37 and 38 weeks, but not so much between 38 and 39 weeks +.

http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFi...vol5n2/twin.xml

I delivered at 38w2d, twins always measured ahead. Scheduled induction went smoothly and I delivered 2 average size singleton babies ... still 12 days early.

Good luck!

 

It's funny that you mentionned this. I am scheduled for an induction next week at exactly 38 weeks with this rationale. At first I didn't question my perinatalogist's choice, which did match what you can read in books. But recently, I've been asking myself the same question, because it sort of bothers me not to follow my natural rythmn. From my previous and this pregnancy it seems I am the type that have pretty healthy pregnancies and carries their babies late. I carried my DD late, I was induced at 41 weeks. She was healthy, a big baby (8lb 4oz), but there was fetal distress during the delivery and she didn't score well at the 1-min Apgar test. She scored fine then at the 5-min one. retrospectively, this could be attributed to the induction. But there is no way to know for sure. According to another mothering site, there is not a lot of data backing up the statement that 38 is better than 40 weeks or later for twin pregnancies. I am a little puzzled myself. :mellow:

 

Here are some articles about the increase in mortality of twins born after 38 weeks that I was given. Although the evidence is somewhat limited, it is definitely out there. My OB will not let me go past 38 weeks, and I think after looking through the OB texts and reading these, that I feel he is making the right decision for me.


http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/152/12/1107

http://pt.wkhealth.com/pt/re/ajog/abstract...#33;8091!-1

http://pt.wkhealth.com/pt/re/ajog/abstract...#33;8091!-1

 

QUOTE(marylane @ Jan 18 2008, 07:02 AM) [snapback]577796[/snapback]
It's funny that you mentionned this. I am scheduled for an induction next week at exactly 38 weeks with this rationale. At first I didn't question my perinatalogist's choice, which did match what you can read in books. But recently, I've been asking myself the same question, because it sort of bothers me not to follow my natural rythmn. From my previous and this pregnancy it seems I am the type that have pretty healthy pregnancies and carries their babies late. I carried my DD late, I was induced at 41 weeks. She was healthy, a big baby (8lb 4oz), but there was fetal distress during the delivery and she didn't score well at the 1-min Apgar test. She scored fine then at the 5-min one. retrospectively, this could be attributed to the induction. But there is no way to know for sure. According to another mothering site, there is not a lot of data backing up the statement that 38 is better than 40 weeks or later for twin pregnancies. I am a little puzzled myself. :mellow:


Yep, pretty much how I feel! My OB will let me go to 40 weeks, but he's convinced I won't, and he's also open to an induction.

Thanks for the links!! I will look at all of them and I will also google.

 

QUOTE(Sofiesmom @ Jan 18 2008, 01:29 AM) [snapback]577749[/snapback]
I like this study. It basically shows that there is a major difference between outcome for 36-37 and 38 weeks, but not so much between 38 and 39 weeks +.

http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFi...vol5n2/twin.xml

I delivered at 38w2d, twins always measured ahead. Scheduled induction went smoothly and I delivered 2 average size singleton babies ... still 12 days early.

Good luck!


Wow. That's some pretty strong evidence (imo) in favor of letting things happen naturally!

 

miine wont let me go past 38 wks; but he rarely see's anyone that goes to 38 wks! i think in my town its the norm for mulitplies that they are full term at 37/38 wks and any more time can be a problem to either mom or babies!

 

I believe the placenta/s tend to break down faster after 38 weeks....

my peri wouldn't have let me go past 37- but I delivered at 36 with no complications...

 

mine were 40 weekers. and perfectly healthy. i know another twin mama who carried hers to almost 42 weeks. again, perfectly healthy.