[Delayed delivery of the second twin--a case report]

Delayed interval delivery of the second twin is not a conventional procedure in case of early delivery of the first one. The routine procedure is the provocation of the uterine activity and terminating pregnancy. Patient's willingness to have a desired child presents difficulties for obstetricians and necessitates unconventional steps. The described delivery of the second twin took place in the fifth week after the delivery of the first one. The patient was discharged on the 7th day after caesarean section and the new-born was discharged in good general condition on the 64th day when reaching body weight 3490 gram. Postponing the delivery of the second twin gave time for treatment with glucocorticoids and it prepared the fetus's lungs for extrauterine life. Therapeutically the most essential problem was the prevention of intrauterine infection. The described procedure posing a threat to both mother and foetus gives rise to understandable doubts. Possible risks should be thoroughly discussed with the patient as well as possible future child's problems.