Birth in triplet pregnancies. Vaginal delivery--how often is it possible?

OBJECTIVE

To compare cesarean section with vaginal delivery in triplet pregnancies.

DESIGN

Medical records of 16 triplet pregnancies were retrospectively reviewed.

SETTING

One hospital where planned, vaginal delivery of triplet gestations is the preferred policy.

SUBJECTS

Sixteen women giving birth to triplets in the University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

RESULTS

Nine women were delivered vaginally, seven with cesarean section. The corrected mortality was 3.3% in the group delivered vaginally and zero in the cesarean section group. Twenty-three percent of the babies in the vaginally delivered group were without any morbidity and 6% in the corresponding cesarean section group.

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of fetal outcome cesarean section in triplets is not superior to a policy of vaginal delivery. Vaginal delivery may be suggested when there are no obvious obstetrical contraindications.