[Induction of secondary labor in triplet pregnancy]

After premature birth of the first triplet we successfully delayed the delivery of the remaining triplets for 21 days until the 29th week of gestation. The 36 year-old patient from Africa (Uganda) was suffering secondary sterility due to bilateral salpingectomy. After transfer of four in-vitro fertilised eggs, triplets were diagnosed ultrasonographically in the 7th week of gestation. In the 26th week, despite tocolysis, premature labour led to the delivery of a 740 g female foetus who died 2 days later. Immediately after delivery cerclage was performed under halothane anaesthesia. Further treatment consisted of tocolytics, antiseptics locally, antibiotics systemically, and rest in bed. In the 29th week a caesarean section had to be performed because of uncontrollable contractions and threatening asphyxia of the second triplet. Both infants, 1100 and 1150 g, were female, both survived without handicaps.