mono/di delivery study

Hey ladies, I'm definitely not expecting twins, but thought you all might know where I could find this information. I know there are articles and studies about the dangers of going past 35ish weeks gestation with mono/di twins. Can any of you point me to where I can find those on the internet. I have a friend who wants to read them. TIA!

ps...if you are pregnant with mono/di twins and nervous about delivering early, I can let you borrow my 33 weekers for a day and you'll see just how typical they are!

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1160585/

 

Thanks Tiffany!

 

35 weeks is a conservative recommendation, is by no mean universal, and has not been backed up by large studies. Which is not to say it's wrong, but it is choosing a known risk (prematurity) to prevent an uncertain one.

Here's another take on the question, concluding that in otherwise uncomplicated di-amniotic twin pregnancies, 39-40 weeks gestation is recommended and prevented the dangers of iatrogenic prematurity.

http://www.uptodate.com/home/content/topic.do?topicKey=labordel/5122

 

Gena, by no means am I a doctor or an expert and I know this is a touchy subject. My friend is 36 weeks along with mono/di girls who are measuring 4.5 lb each and wanted some reassurance about her decision to deliver now. Personally, I delivered at 33w6d and after looking at the placenta, the study showed that my baby B would not have made it more than another day or so. Ironically, it was her sister who caused us to deliver due to IUGR complications (but that was all an act of God!).

For my friend, her comfort level is to deliver early with 4.5lb babies who have had steroid shots and are getting great BPP scores than to roll the dice and risk sudden fetal demise in order to gain a few ounces and spend less time in the NICU (if they even have to go to the NICU at all).

 

Sorry, I didn't fully understand. Leave it to me to say totally the wrong thing.

I'm so used to having to defend my choice to go full term with MZ twins, in a pregnancy with no contra-indications. That perspective is backed by some science yet seems unrepresented generally. Lots of OBs will talk about "the dangers of going past X date," as mentioned in your original post. There just isn't a consensus, especially for mono-di twins.

Choosing an early delivery is of course a totally reasonable choice! There are all sorts of reasons for twins to come early, and it's up to every parent and doctor to weigh the known risks. Your story is very positive, and your friend should be happy and proud to get to 36 weeks. Her twins have a great chance of being totally healthy and maybe even little or no NICU time.

Sorry, I didn't get that your friend wanted reassurance about her twins being born at 36 weeks. I really don't want to add to any expectant mom's worry. Hope your story and other PP'ers here have given her confidence. I know there are good studies about how well 36 week twins do, but I can't seem to put my fingers on them right now.

Best wishes to your friend!

 

This question has been bugging me. Happened on a recent, large study for your friend:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17999692

The authors conclude that there are increased risks with mono-di twins, and that elective delivery before 37 weeks is recommended.

Hope that helps!