Twin Deliveries



Twin Deliveries


Nuriya D. Robinson



OVERVIEW

Deliveries of multifetal gestations can prove challenging for even the most experienced obstetrics provider.1 Fetal lie, monitoring challenges with more than one fetus, and the potential need for a cesarean section to deliver one or both fetuses can complicate what would otherwise be a normal delivery. However, a woman laboring with twins may present to the emergency department without sufficient time for transfer to a facility better equipped to manage the intricacies of the labor and delivery process; thus, the emergency medicine practitioner must be prepared to navigate this unique circumstance.


EPIDEMIOLOGY

Twin pregnancies are becoming more common in the United States, with an increase of nearly 50% over the last decade.2 Several factors including older maternal age, which naturally increases the chance of twinning, and the use of assisted reproductive technologies have led to a higher incidence of multifetal gestations, with twins being the most common type of multiple gestation.3,4,5 Twin pregnancies are associated with increased maternofetal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Women with twin pregnancies have a higher likelihood of developing pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.3 In the postpartum period, complications such as uterine atony, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum depression are more common in mothers of multiples.3 In terms of fetal risks, when compared to singleton gestations of the same birth weight, twin pregnancies have a higher risk of perinatal and neonatal mortality.1 In addition, twins tend to deliver at earlier gestations ages, for a variety of reasons, resulting in the morbidity and mortality associated with preterm status.2,3


DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS

The optimal time to diagnose twins is during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the number of placentas and the presence or absence of a membrane dividing the amniotic sacs is more easily identified.3 As the pregnancy continues, the clarity of these markers may diminish. Knowing the D.chorionicity of twins during labor is not vital to a successful delivery, although it may assist with ensuring the correct number of placentas has delivered. The presence of a dividing membrane is reassuring that there are two separate gestational sacs, thus excluding the diagnosis of monochorionic twins (Figure 23.1).







Figure 23.1: Chorioamnionicity. A, Dichorionic/diamniotic. B, Monochorionic/diamniotic. C, Monochorionic/monoamniotic. (Reproduced with permission from Chasen ST, Chervenak FA. Twin pregnancy: labor and delivery. In: Post TW, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; 2019. www.uptodate.com.)


MANAGEMENT


Initial Assessment

As with any situation in the emergency department, the first step in a twin delivery is assessing the patient. Initial vital signs should be performed, an intravenous catheter inserted, and a cervical examination performed to assess cervical dilation and to determine the urgency of delivery. A bedside ultrasound is helpful in establishing the viability of both fetuses and in identifying the presenting part of the first fetus. If the determination is made that the patient is stable and cervical dilation is not advanced, the patient should be transferred to a facility with a labor and delivery unit. In the event the patient is not stable for transport, due to either maternal or fetal factors, then arrangements need to be made for a twin delivery in the emergency department.


Preparation

Preparation is essential for all deliveries but especially so for a twin delivery. A timely request for pediatric assistance for neonatal resuscitation and newborn care should be made. The number of staff assisting with the delivery ideally needs to be doubled to provide the best possible care to the mother and both newborns. This is particularly important if a preterm birth is expected. After delivery, each baby will need a warmer, a team for resuscitation, as well as a dedicated set of resuscitation equipment. When possible, an emergency obstetrics or delivery tray should be available and additional clamps included for use with the second umbilical cord. If a fetal monitor is available, this can also be used for one of the fetuses unless a twin monitor is available to monitor both fetuses. A portable ultrasound at the bedside with a dedicated staff member assigned to ultrasound is very beneficial. The ultrasound can be used in the absence of fetal monitors to assess fetal status, primarily fetal heart rate and fetal presentation, throughout the delivery and particularly for the second twin after the first twin has delivered. It is not uncommon for the second twin to change presentation after delivery of the first twin.


Fetal Presentation in Twin Pregnancies

Twins are primarily oriented within the uterus in four ways: cephalic/cephalic, cephalic/non-cephalic, noncephalic/noncephalic, and noncephalic/cephalic (Figure 23.2). Approximately 42% of twins are cephalic/cephalic, with both the presenting twin and the second twin with the head down.6 Cephalic/noncephalic comprise 38% of twins. The remaining 20% are noncephalic presenting twins, whether breech/breech, breech/cephalic, breech/transverse, transverse/transverse, or other less common orientations.6







Figure 23.2: Cephalic/cephalic, cephalic/noncephalic, noncephalic/noncephalic.


MODE OF DELIVERY

The most appropriate route of delivery for twins has been somewhat controversial over the years.7 Although the position of the presenting twin normally dictates whether a vaginal delivery is an option, at times the orientation of the second twin also factors into the mode of delivery.8 This partially explains why cesarean section is extremely common in twin pregnancies, accounting for up to 68% of twin deliveries.7,9 However, a randomized controlled trial compared fetal and neonatal death as well as serious neonatal morbidity among planned vaginal delivery and planned cesarean section in 32 0/7 weeks to 38 6/7 weeks pregnant women with the first twin in cephalic presentation.4 Their results show no difference in neonatal morbidity or mortality between the two groups and, in fact, showed improved outcomes in the group delivered vaginally. This study suggests that cesarean section does not offer any advantage in terms of the studied outcomes. If the leading twin is vertex, the recommendation is to proceed with vaginal delivery, and if breech, a cesarean section is planned.1,4 The risk with delivery of the presenting twin as a breech is head entrapment or extension of the neck, making delivery more difficult and potentially leading to a fetal cervical spine injury. Historically, the teaching was a concern for “interlocking chins” (Figure 23.3). This is actually a very rare event.

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Dec 30, 2020 | Posted by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Twin Deliveries

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