[Delayed delivery in multiple gestations--a case report and review of the literature].

The incidence of multiple pregnancies increases with concomitant increased risk in maternal and fetal complications. Delayed delivery is still a rare occurrence in the literature despite advances in reproductive medicine and increasing number of multiple gestations. Authors report a case of delayed delivery in a dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy. A 28-year-old woman delivered her first twin in the 25th week of gestation, 4 weeks after the preterm rupture of membranes. The newborn died on the first day of life due to prematurity. Cervical cerclage was performed, patient received antibiotics, corticosteroids and tocolytics. The second twin was successfully delivered by cesarean section in the 28th week of pregnancy, 18 days after the first twin was born. The baby was discharged home in good condition on the 64th day after the delivery. The conclusion was, that using tocolysis, antenatal steroids to stimulate lung maturation, antibiotics and cervical cerclage after delivery of the first fetus we can improve the life-expectancy of the retained fetus. Delayed delivery is a reasonable option for patients with multifetal pregnancies and premature delivery of the first baby or preterm rupture of membranes in the second trimester.