Risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery in twin pregnancies: A retrospective cohort study

To compare the risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery (CD) between patients with twin and singleton pregnancies undergoing a trial of labor and identify risk factors for intrapartum CD in twin pregnancies.

The present study was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a twin or singleton pregnancy who underwent a trial of labor at ≥34^0/7 weeks in a single center (2015-2022). The primary outcome was the rate of intrapartum CD. In twin pregnancies, this outcome was limited to CD of both twins. The association of plurality with intrapartum CD was estimated using multivariable Poisson regression.

A total of 20 754 patients met the study criteria, 669 of whom had a twin pregnancy. Patients with twins had a greater risk of intrapartum CD (of both twins) than those with singleton pregnancies (22.1% vs 15.9%, respectively; aRR 1.38 [95% CI: 1.15-1.66]), primarily due to a greater risk of failure to progress. In addition, 4.1% of the twin pregnancies had a CD for the second twin, resulting in an overall CD rate in twin pregnancies of 26.2%. Variables associated with intrapartum CD in twin pregnancies included nulliparity (aOR 3.50, 95% CI: 2.34-5.25), birthweight discordance >20% (aOR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.27-4.78), and labor induction (aOR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.07-2.53). The rate of intrapartum CD was highest when all three risk factors were present (67% [95% CI: 41%-87%]).

Twin pregnancies are associated with a greater risk of intrapartum CD than singleton pregnancies. Information on the individualized risk of intrapartum CD may be valuable when counseling patients with twins regarding mode of delivery.