[Two-stage delivery after spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes and delayed abortion of the first twin in conservative management].

INTRODUCTION

1-2% of all twin pregnancies are complicated by premature contractions, leading to premature rupture of membranes before 26 weeks of pregnancy. In this situation, a decision is required to either actively induce premature delivery or to initiate expectant management. Maternal and fetal risks regarding perinatal mortality and morbidity and the benefits of pregnancy prolongation have to be weighted against each other.

CASE REPORT: We present delayed deliveries of two I-Parae with dichorionic twin pregnancies, achieved by in vitro fertilisation. In both cases, spontaneous membrane rupture and miscarriage of the leading fetus occurred prior to 20 gestational weeks. As signs of infection were missing initially, we adopted a conservative, expectant management. In both cases, the pregnancies could be prolonged to more than 30 weeks' gestation.

DISCUSSION: In the absence of additional risk factors, expectant, conservative management of multiple pregnancies after loss of one fetus can lead to pregnancy prolongation of 91 and 96 days, respectively. The gained gestational age of the remaining fetus and the healthy mother-child pairs are discussed under perinatal, economical and psychological aspects.