Excessive uterine contractions: effect on the incidence of preterm delivery in twin gestation

To evaluate the effect of uterine contractions on the incidence of preterm delivery within 7 and 14 days in twin pregnancies.

Study patients were identified from a large database composed of women receiving outpatient surveillance with home uterine contraction monitoring. We included tracings collected on a routine or acute basis from twin pregnancies without cerclage at 24.0-36.0 weeks. Tracings from patients with indicated delivery were excluded. Fisher's exact and Pearson's X2 tests were used.

Datafrom 2,423 patients who recorded 8,291 acute tracings and 12,649 routine tracings were analyzed. Preterm delivery within 7 days followed 1.4% of routine vs. 6.6% of acute tracings (p < 0.001). Preterm delivery within 14 days followed 5.1% of routine vs. 16.8% of acute tracings (p < 0.001).

Preterm uterine contractions affect pregnancy prolongation and outcome in twin pregnancies utilizing outpatient surveillance. Evaluation of patients exhibiting elevated preterm uterine contractions is warranted.