Maternal complications in twin pregnancies

Twin pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy as it is associated with significant increase in the perinatal mortality and morbidity and maternal mortality and morbidity. This study was carried out to determine the maternal complications related with twin pregnancy. This was a cross-sectional observational study among all women with twin pregnancy, both booked (patients who had at least three visits to antenatal care were considered as booked) and unbooked, admitted in Institute of Post Graduate Medicine and Research, Dhaka now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Out of 3675 deliveries 53(1.4%) patients had twin pregnancy during a period of two years beginning from September 1996 to August 1998. Out of 53 patients, 34(64.2%) were multipara and 19(35.8%) were primipara. Most of the patients were between 22-29(67.9%) years group. The duration of gestations was 32-36 weeks for 17(32.1%) patients, 37-40 weeks for 30(56.6%) patients. Maternal complications were noticed as anaemia in 19(35.8%) patients, hypertension in 12(22.6%) patients, post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) in 10(18.9%) patients, hyperemesis gravidarum in 4(7.5%), polyhydramnios in 3(5.7%) patients, ante-partum haemorrhage (APH) in 3(5.7%) patients, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in 2(3.8%) patients, gestational diabetes in 3(5.7%) patients, urinary tract infection (UTI) in 2(3.8%) patients, complications of operative delivery in 2(3.8%) patients. There was no maternal death in our study. Twin Pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy associated with significant increase in maternal mortality and morbidity. With aggressive management of complications such as preterm labour, foetal distress, hypertension, APH, PPH, premature rupture of membranes etc morbidity and mortality can be improved.