Multiple Birth Pregnancy
Having a multiple birth pregnancy is more likely to result in a premature birth than a singleton.
Multiple Birth Pregnancy
Multiple gestations account for only 2-3% of all infant births, but they carry a high risk for preterm birth. Multiple births result in 15-20% of all preterm births. Approximately 60% of twins are born preterm and almost all higher multiple gestations result in preterm birth or are delivered early by elective caesarean section.
Approximately 40% of twins will have spontaneous labour or preterm premature rupture of membranes (or PPROM for short) while the remaining 20% have an indicated preterm delivery due to preeclampsia or other maternal or fetal disorders. PPROM is defined as spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac at less than 37 weeks’ gestation at least 1 hour before the onset of contractions. Preterm labour in multiple gestations is believed to be caused by uterine over distension (i.e. over-stretched), resulting in contractions and PPROM.
(Goldenberg, Culhane, Iams, & Romero, 2008)(Goldenberg, et al., 2008; Romero et al., 2008)
Technical Reference List
Goldenberg, R. L., Culhane, J. F., Iams, J. D., & Romero, R. (2008). Epidemiology and causes of preterm birth. Lancet, 371(9606), 75-84.
Romero, R., Espinoza, J., Kusanovic, J. P., Gotsch, F., Hassan, S., Erez, O., et al. (2008). The preterm parturition syndrome (vol 113, pg 17, Suppl. 3, 2006). Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 115(5).
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