1. Multiple Pregnancy

2. Multiple Pregnancy/ Multifetalpregnancy
The presence of more than one fetus in the gravid uterus is called multiple pregnancy
Two fetuses (twins)
Three fetuses (triplets)
Four fetuses (quadruplets)
Five fetuses (quintuplets)
Six fetuses (sextuplets)

3. INCIDENCE
Hellin’s Law: Twins: 1:89 Triplets: 1:892 Quadruplets: 1:893 Quintuplets: 1:894 Conjoined twins: 1 : 60,000 Worldwide incidence of monozygotic - 1 in 250 Incidence of dizygotic varies & increasing

4. Demography Race: most common in black race Age: Increased maternal age
Parity: more common in multipara
Heredity - family history of multifetal gestation
Nutritional status – well-nourished women
ART - ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate, gonadotrophins and IVF
Conception after stopping OCP

5. Twins Varieties: 1. Dizygotic twins: commonest (Two-third)
2. Monozygotic twins (one-third)
Genesis of Twins:
Dizygotic twins (syn: Fraternal, binovular) -
- fertilization of two ova by two sperms.

6. Differences in zygocity
Dizygotic
Monozygotic
1 ova + 1 sperm
Same sex
Identical features
Single or double placenta
Same genetic features
DNA microprobe -same
2 ova + 2 sperm
Same or opposite sex
Fraternal resemblance
Double or s/t fused
Different genetic features
DNA microprobe - different

7. Superfecundation
Fertilization of two different ova released in the same cycle
Superfetation
Fertilization of two ova released in different cycles

8. Up to 3 days - diamniotic-dichorionic
Monozygotic twins (syn: Identical, uniovular):
Up to 3 days - diamniotic-dichorionic
Between 4th & 7th day - diamniotic monochorionic most common type
Between 8th & 12th day- monoamniotic-monochorionic
After 13th day - conjoined / Siamese twins.

10. Conjoined twins
Ventral: 1) Omphalopagus 2) Thoracopagus 3) Cephalopagus 4) Caudal/ ischiopagus Lateral: 1) Parapagus Dorsal: 1)Craniopagus 2)Pyopagus

11. Maternal Complications
Increased maternal mortality
Increased pregnancy risks
Anemia (15%): due to iron deficiency or folic acid deficiency
Preeclampsia- eclampsia:
GDM
Threatened or actual abortion.
Polyhydramnios (12%): acute: more in monozygotic than dizygotic twins. OR Chronic: not related to type.
Mechanical effects: with the uterus larger than period of amenorrhea; it may be associated with dyspnea, dyspepsia, pressure on ureter with increased UTI, supine hypotension syndrome, increased varicosities and lower limb edema.
Rupture of membranes
Antepartum hemorrhage: both abruption (due to PIH and folic acid deficiency) and placenta previa (due to large placenta).
Psychological: problem of caring, prolonged rest and hospitalization.

12. Increased labor risks:
Preterm labor (50%): which may be spontaneous or induced uterine dystocia.
Abnormal fetal presentation.
Twins entanglement and locked twins
Cord accident
Cord prolapse.
Vasa Praevia (due to vilamentous insertion of the cord).
Two Vessel cord (7% especially monozygotic) N.B; 1% in singelton
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Puerperal Sepsis

13. Fetal / Neonatal Complications
Increased abortion rate
Increased intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD):
More in MZ > DZ.
Vanishing twin syndrome: (incidence 21%)
Early death = Fetus compressus (papyraceous fetus).
Later death = macerated fetus.
Death during delivery:
first fetus: [prolapsed cord],
second fetus: [ due to excess sedation, premature seperation of placenta, constriction ring ,dystocia, operative manipulation, hypoxia].

14. Vanishing twin – before 10 weeks
Fetus papyraceous/compressus – 2nd trim
IUFD most important in third trimester especially in momochorionic twins due to the risk of meurologic morbidity in the surviving twin

18. Increased perinatal mortality (10-20%):
More in monozygotic twins.
It is mainly related to low birth weight.
It may be due to
preterm delivery
IUGR with PIH
hypoxia (placental or cord accident)
operative manipulation: Birth trauma and CP
congenital malformation.
Increased low body weight:
Neonates are lighter [due to preterm or IUGR],
More in monozygotic and with increased fetal number

19. Single Fetal Demise...?? First trimester Fetal loss of a twin
does not appear to impair the development of the surviving twin.
Midgestation fetal death occurring after (17 weeks' gestation)
Increase the risk of IUGR, preterm labor, preeclampsia and perinatal mortality (17-50% in MC and if TTT)
Antenatal necrosis of the cerebral white matter has been associated with the presence of intrauterine fetal death of a co-twin , artery-to-artery, and vein-to-vein anastomosis.
Prompt delivery following the death of a co-twin has not been shown to prevent neurological injury
Delivery for the purpose of preventing injury should, therefore, be weighed against the risks of premature delivery.

20. Twin to Twin transfusion
Vascular communication between 2 fetuses, mainly in monochorionic placenta (10% of monozygotic twins),
Twins are often of different sizes:
Donor twin = small, pallied, dehydrated (IUGR), oligohydramnios (due to oliguria), die from anemic heart failure.
Recipient twin = plethoric, edematous, hypertensive, ascites, kernicterus (need amniocentesis for bilirubin), enlarged liver, polyhydramnios (due to polyuria), die from congestive heart failure, and jaundice.

22. TRAP

24. Instead of normal umbilical artery flow from fetus to the placenta, the umbilical artery flow direction is from the placenta to the recipient (acardiac) twin. Placental anastomosis between the umbilical artery of the donor and recipient twin allows the deoxygenated blood from the donor fetus to enter the arterial circulation of the recipient fetus. The arterial circulation in the recipient preferentially pumps this deoxygenated blood to the lower fetal torso. The recipient umbilical cord contains two vessels, one artery in one vein.

26. Differentiation of twins
Sex: If of different sexes, obviously dizygotic
Placenta:
If two separated placentae, will be dizygotic
If one placenta, may be monozygotic or dizygotic
Check septum between sacs by peeling amnions from each other.
Blood groups: If doubt in dichorionic types, check the ABO, Rh, Duffy, Kell, MN and Ss.
Finger prints: If different, it means dizygotic
Typing HLA histocompatibility antigen

27. Diagnosis 25% of antenatal diagnosis of twin is missed .
Twin should be suspected by history and examination
It should be confirmed by U/S (as early as 10 wks).
To decrease PNM, it should be early diagnosed, properly assessed antenatally and properly managed intranatally.

28. History… Patient profile: Early pregnancy: Hyperemesis, bleeding.
Etiological factors; with positive past history and family history specially maternal.
Early pregnancy: Hyperemesis, bleeding.
Mid-pregnancy:
Greater weight gain than expected,
abdominal size > period of amenorrhea,
early PIH symptoms, persistent fetal activity.
Late pregnancy:
Pressure symptoms (dyspnea, dyspepsia, UTI, piles, edema and varicose veins in LL).

29. Ultrasonography
Confirm fetal number [ 2 sacs or 2 fetal heads in 2 perpendicular planes].
Confirm fetal lives
Diagnosis of vanishing twin syndrome.
Diagnose type:
Mono- vs. dizygotic twins.
In all dizygotic and in 1/3 of manozygotic twins, the dividing membrane between two sacs in twins comprises a double layer of chorion and amnion from each sac (dichorionic - diamniotic), separated by a triangle-like tongue of decidua extending from the fetal surface of the placenta. This is known as twin peak (or Lambda sign) which is pathognomonic for dichorionic placentation.
In monochorionic pregnancy, the dividing thin membrane of the two sacs (made of 2 layers of amnion only) is inserted prependicular to the fetal surface of the placenta. This is known as the T- sign.
The width of dividing membrane is a less reliable sign to determine the chorionicity.

31. ULTRASONOGRAPHY D / D ( fused placenta ) M / D
Monozygotic or dizygotic
Thick dividing membrane > 2mm
Twin peak / lambda sign
Monozygotic
Thin dividing membrane 2mm or less
T sign

32. Antenatal Follow up…
Antenatal visits more often [some advise Twin clinic]:
Seen biweekly until 20 weeks, weekly thereafter, even semiweekly if problems arise.
Assess maternal condition
weight gain, anemia and its type (iron or folic acid deficiency), PIH, Glucose intolerance, UTI]
Asses fetal well-being
can't rely on fetal movement as reduced one may be obscured by vigorous movement of the other, cautious interpretation of other tests
Rest: Advised more rest to decrease pre-term delivery (PTD) and PIH incidence.
Reassurance and psychological support: to educate and prepare the expectant mother for raising twins.
Diet : Extra-Calories, proteins, essential fatty acids, mineral and vitamins.
Prophylactic extra-iron + Folic acid supplementation.
Proper delivery timing: Prevent Prematurity and preterm delivery
increased bed rest, hospitalization at weeks of gestation,
monitoring uterine activity and possible use of tocolytic drugs.
Prophylactic cerclage ???
The use of steroid to hasten lung maturity in threatened PTD should be considered.

33. Intranatal assessment and delivery:
Managed in well equipped hospital.
Admit once patient is in labor, has rupture of membranes or antepartum hemorrhage.
Close (continuous and simultaneous) maternal and fetal surveillance to assess labor progress (use 2 machines for CTG).

34. How are they going to be delivered?

35. C.S. for Multiple Pregnancy:
Indications of C.S. (Chervenak, 1985):
More than 2 viable fetuses, if:
weight < 2 kg,
discordant growth ( i.e.; IUGR or twin-twin transfusion, or disproportionate twins, twin B larger than A (BPD > 2 mm),
twin A: is non-vertex.
Conjoined Twins
Single amniotic cavity.
Previous Uterine scar.
During Labor: if delayed progress, fetal distress, or if twin B transverse and cervix is thickened (retained second twin).
Associated pregnancy complication i.e.; severe PIH, placenta previa.
Contracted Pelvis
Lack of expertise

36. Vaginal Delivery for Multiple Pregnancy
Team: [Senior obstetrician + scrubbed, gowned gloved assistant – anesthesiologist - neonatologist at least one for each neonate].
Limit the use of ecbolic: only if contractions are insufficient.
Analgesia and anesthesia: need skilled anesthesiologist and better conducted via epidural analgesia

37. Types of Twin Presentations%
2nd twin
1st twin 35
Head 20
Breech 15 10
Transverse or cephalic
Cephalic or transverse 5
Transverse or breech
Breech or transverse
Transverse

38. Vaginal Delivery for Multiple Pregnancy
Always perform an episiotomy.
Delivery of twin A (Vertex): with minimal interference (no artificial rupture of membranes, no augmentation, avoid difficult forceps or ventouse), no breech extraction if breech.
On delivery of twin A:
Clamp and cut cord of twin A immediately, away from vulva and mark it.
No ergometrine is given.
Assess twin B (abdominally/vaginally) i.e ; presentation, position, exclude mono-amniotic pregnancy or cord prolapse.

39. Guard against postpartum hemorrhage (massage and I.V ecbolics )
Delivery of twin B:
assess second sac:
if no sac, immediate delivery.
If there is a sac, examine for lie:
If longitudinal, wait 10 min (hasten if fetal distress or bleeding). If inertia, give oxytocin. If the presenting part is high, moderate fundal pressure and artificial rupture of membranes, then ventouse or breech extraction.
If transverse, bring a leg by abdominovaginal manipulation i.e.; external cephalic version (ECV) or internal podalic version (IPV), then breech extraction.
Placental delivery and examination for zygosity:
If delayed, then do manual removal.
Examine placenta for zygosity.
Exploration of genital tract for retained products and lacerations.
Guard against postpartum hemorrhage (massage and I.V ecbolics )

40. Retained Twin B
The usual time interval between delivery of twin A and B is minutes
If there are facilities for proper monitoring this interval may be increased
Indications of CS for Twin B
Transverse lie
Fetal Distress
Contracted cervix
Prolapsed cord
Premature Breech
Failed Extraction

41. Postnatal care Guard against puerperal sepsis.
Psychological and possible financial support.
Advise for contraception.