[A program to lower perinatal morbidity and mortality in women with multiple pregnancies]

A total of 511 females with multiple pregnancy (486 with twins and 25 with triplets) were examined for the nature of fetal development, and management of pregnancy, labor and postpartum period. An early diagnosis was found to play a decisive role in the implementation of therapeutical and preventive measures. A classification of the prenatal development of monozygotic twins was presented. It was shown that the optimal management of pregnancy in multiple-pregnant females was effective in relation to the time of employing the basic components of the program. It was demonstrated that the active management of labour was important in multiple pregnancy; the results of clinical trials of this procedure were also provided. In terms of the risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality, three groups were identified, these may include females with multiple pregnancy. Implementing the proposed treatment-and-prevention measures showed that perinatal morbidity and mortality rates in multiple pregnancy might be substantially reduced.