Vaginal delivery of twins after previous cesarean section

Trial of Labor After Cesarean in Twin Gestation with no prior vaginal delivery - Evidence from largest cohort reported

Objective

To investigate trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) success rates in twin gestations with no prior vaginal delivery.

Methods

A retrospective study of women with twin gestations who underwent a TOLAC and had no prior vaginal delivery during 2011–2020. TOLAC success and failure groups were compared.

Results

Of 675 twin gestations with a history of cesarean delivery and no prior vaginal delivery, 83 (12.3%) elected to undergo a TOLAC and 26 (31.3%) succeeded. Two (7.7%) women delivered by cesarean for the second twin after vaginal delivery of the first twin. Epidural analgesia was positively associated with TOLAC success (odds ratio [OR] 4.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56–11.94, P = 0.004). Uterine rupture occurred in two patients (3.5%) of the TOLAC failure group. The proportion of cases with low Apgar score (<7) at 5 min was higher in the TOLAC success group (4 [15.4%] versus 1 [1.8%]; OR 10.1, 95% CI 1.07–96.22, P = 0.032) and the neonatal composite adverse outcome rate was lower in this group (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07–0.69, P = 0.009).

Conclusion

TOLAC in women with twins with no prior vaginal delivery is associated with a low success rate. No independent predictors of successful TOLAC were identified.

The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit cesarean registry: trial of labor with a twin gestation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify the success rates and risks in women with a twin pregnancy who attempt a trial of labor after cesarean delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

Cases were identified in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network's Cesarean Registry with a woman with a twin pregnancy who had had at least 1 previous cesarean delivery.

RESULTS

During the study period (1999-2002), 412 women fulfilled the study criteria, and 226 women had elective repeat cesarean delivery. Of the 186 women (45.1% of total) who attempted a trial of labor, 120 women were delivered successfully (success rate, 64.5%), and 66 women (35.5%) had a failed trial of labor. Thirty of the failed trials of labor involved a vaginal delivery for twin A and cesarean delivery for twin B. Women who attempted a trial of labor with twins had no increased risk of transfusion, endometritis, intensive care unit admissions, or uterine rupture when compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery. Fetal and neonatal complications were uncommon in either group at>or=34 weeks of gestation.

CONCLUSION

A trial of labor with twins after previous cesarean delivery does not appear to increase maternal morbidity. Perinatal morbidity is uncommon at>or=34 weeks of gestation.

Twin delivery after a previous caesarean: a twelve-year experience

OBJECTIVES

To compare maternal and neonatal morbidities between trial of labour (TOL) and elective Caesarean section in women with twin pregnancies who have had a prior Caesarean.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted of women with a prior Caesarean who delivered twins at 28 weeks gestation or greater in Ste-Justine Hospital between 1988 and 2001. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between women who had a TOL (group 1) and those who had an elective Caesarean delivery (group 2).

RESULTS

Twenty-six women and 52 fetuses were included in group 1 and compared to the 71 women and 142 fetuses in group 2. Maternal age, gestational age, and birth weight were comparable in both groups. In group 1, 22 (85%) out of 26 women delivered twin A vaginally and 19 (73%) delivered both vaginally. There was no significant difference in the umbilical artery cord pH, Apgar score, ventilatory support, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit between the 2 groups. There was also no significant difference in the rate of postpartum maternal fever or decrease of serum hemoglobin between the 2 groups, but the median hospital stay was higher in the group with elective Caesarean (5.0 vs. 3.0 days, p <0.001). There were no uterine ruptures or other major complications in either group.

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences in maternal and neonatal morbidity outcomes between births by trial of labour and by elective Caesarean, in twin pregnancies after a prior Caesarean section. A trial of labour is associated with a shorter hospital stay.

Intrapartum management of multiple gestation

The intrapartum management of multiple gestation continues to challenge the obstetric profession. In general, attempted vaginal delivery is appropriate for vertex-vertex twins. The options of external version, breech delivery, and cesarean delivery are analyzed for vertex-nonvertex twins. Special considerations in the intrapartum management of multiple gestation include monoamniotic twins, conjoined twins, and triplet pregnancies.

Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery in the twin gestation

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.