title: Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery in the twin gestation.
abstract: The pregnancy outcomes of 56 women with a twin gestation and a prior cesarean birth were analyzed to determine whether a trial of labor was a reasonable consideration. Of these patients, 31 (55%) underwent an elective repeat cesarean delivery and 25 (45%) attempted vaginal delivery. Of those who attempted vaginal delivery, 18 (72%) were vaginally delivered of both infants. The dehiscence rate among women with twin pregnancies who attempted a trial of labor was 4% compared with 2% in women with singleton pregnancies. There were no significant differences in maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality rates in trial of labor versus no trial of labor groups. We conclude in this limited population that a trial of labor in a twin gestation after a previous cesarean delivery appears to be a reasonable consideration. The usual safeguards for attempted vaginal delivery in the twin gestation should be followed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Phelan
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sarno
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D014219:Trial of Labor; D014427:Twins; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000209:etiology