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Duration of the multifetal gestation, birth weight and infant prognosis
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
For the higher numbered multifetal gestation, duration of gestational age decreases in spite of different medical activities. On the other hand increasing gestational age often strongly suggests the need for delivery by caesarean section for maternal indications. After the 32nd week of gestation in general no serious respiratory problems should be expected, and there may be no essential increase in fetal weight, but the risk of intrauterine death increases due to placental insufficiency. Therefore, for logistic reasons we propose liberal indications for caesarean section after the 32nd week of the multifetal gestation.
For the higher numbered multifetal gestation, duration of gestational age decreases in spite of different medical activities. On the other hand increasing gestational age often strongly suggests the need for delivery by caesarean section for maternal indications. After the 32nd week of gestation in general no serious respiratory problems should be expected, and there may be no essential increase in fetal weight, but the risk of intrauterine death increases due to placental insufficiency. Therefore, for logistic reasons we propose liberal indications for caesarean section after the 32nd week of the multifetal gestation.