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Twins, Triplets, Complications & Symptoms

What is a multiple pregnancy?

A multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy where you’re carrying more than one baby at a time. If you’re carrying two babies, they are called twins. Three babies that are carried during one pregnancy are called triplets. You can also carry more than three babies at one time (high-order multiples). There are typically more risks linked to a multiple pregnancy than a singleton (carrying only one baby) pregnancy.

How do multiple pregnancies happen?

There are two main ways that a multiple pregnancy can happen:

• One fertilized egg (ovum) splits before it implants in the uterine lining.
• Two or more separate eggs are fertilized by different sperm at the same time.

These two different types of multiple pregnancy result in either identical or fraternal siblings. The difference between identical and fraternal babies goes back to how the multiple pregnancy happens.

Identical twins or triplets happen when a single egg is fertilized and then later splits. These newly divided embryos are identical. Children that are identical multiples will look like each other and be the same sex.

Fraternal multiples develop from separate eggs that are fertilized by a different sperm. Because these are different eggs and different sperm, the genetic material is varied. These children won’t look identical and can be different sexes from each other.

In a pregnancy with triplets or more, your babies could be all identical, all fraternal or a mixture of both. This can happen if your body releases multiple eggs and more than one is fertilized. In a case where you have both identical and fraternal multiples, more than one egg was fertilized and then at least one of those eggs also split after fertilization.

Are identical twins or triplets always the same sex?

Because identical twins or triplets share genetic material, they are always the same sex. The sex of a baby is determined by the particular sperm cell that fertilizes the egg at conception. There are two kinds of sperm cells — those carrying an X chromosome or Y chromosome. The mother’s egg carries an X chromosome. If a sperm cell carrying an X chromosome fertilizes the egg, it will make a XX combination (female). If the sperm cell is carrying a Y chromosome, you end up with an XY pairing (male).

Identical multiples start as one egg and then split, so whatever chromosome combination is present at fertilization is the sex of all multiples.

What increases the chance of a multiple pregnancy?

There are several factors that can increase the risk of a multiple birth. You might be at a higher risk of getting pregnant with more than one baby at a time if you:

• Are older (women in their 30s are at a higher risk of multiples because the body starts to release multiple eggs at one time when you get older).
• Are a twin yourself or have twins in your family.
• Are using fertility drugs.

You might also be at a higher risk of a multiple pregnancy if you are taller than average or have a higher body weight.

Another risk factor for a multiple pregnancy is genetic. There is an increased possibility of a multiple pregnancy if you are a multiple yourself, or if multiples run in your family. This heredity trait is generally passed down through the maternal (mother’s) side of the family.

The use of fertility drugs can be another reason you might have a multiple birth. Treatments for infertility can increase your risk of a multiple pregnancy because procedures, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), often involve transferring more than one fertilized egg into your uterus. Your provider usually transfers more than one egg at a time to increase the odds of a successful pregnancy.

How common are multiple births?

Multiple births have become more common in recent years because more people are using fertility drugs and procedures, such as IVF, to help conceive a baby.

What are the signs of a multiple pregnancy?

The only way to know if you’re pregnant with more than one baby during your pregnancy is through an ultrasound exam with your healthcare provider. During this test, your provider can look at images of the inside of your uterus and confirm how many babies are in there.

You might experience more intense symptoms during a multiple pregnancy than with a single pregnancy. These can include:

• Severe nausea and vomiting (morning sickness).
• Rapid weight gain in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Sore or very tender breasts.
• High human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels — this hormone is made during pregnancy and is what a pregnancy test picks up.
• High amounts of the protein alpha-fetoprotein in your blood.

Apart from an ultrasound, your provider might suspect multiples if there’s more than one heartbeat detected during a fetal Doppler scan.

What complications are linked to multiple births?

Anyone can experience complications during pregnancy — regardless of how many babies you’re carrying. However, most healthcare providers consider multiple pregnancies higher risk than single pregnancies. This doesn’t mean that every woman who carries more than one baby during a pregnancy is going to have problems. If you’re pregnant with multiples, your provider will want to watch you for possible complications that can happen when you carry more than one baby at once. Your provider will talk to you about each risk factor and frequently check with you to make sure you aren’t experiencing anything concerning.

Possible complications include:

• Premature labor and birth: The most common complication of multiple births is premature labor. If you’re pregnant for multiples, you are more likely to go into premature labor (before 37 weeks) than a woman carrying only one baby. The goal for many moms of multiples is to complete 37 weeks. This is considered term in a twin pregnancy and reaching this week of gestation increases the chance the babies will be born healthy and at a good weight. Babies that are born prematurely are at risk of another complication of multiple births — low birth weight.
• Preeclampsia or gestational hypertension (high blood pressure): High blood pressure is called hypertension. During pregnancy, your healthcare provider will watch your blood pressure carefully to make sure you don’t develop gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy). This can lead to a dangerous condition called preeclampsia. Complications related to high blood pressure happen at twice the rate in women carrying multiples compared to women pregnant with only one baby. This complication also tends to happen earlier in pregnancy and be more severe in multiple pregnancies than single pregnancies.
• Gestational diabetes: You can develop diabetes during pregnancy. This happens because of the increased amount of hormones from the placenta. The size of the placenta can also be a factor in this condition. If you have two placentas, there’s an increased resistance to insulin.
• Placenta abruption: This condition happens when the placenta detaches (separates) from the wall of your uterus before delivery. This is an emergency situation. Placenta abruption is more common in women who are carrying multiples.
• Fetal growth restriction: This condition can also be called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or small for gestational age (SGA). This condition happens when one or more of your babies is not growing at the proper rate. This condition might cause the babies to be born prematurely or at a low birth-weight. Nearly half of pregnancies with more than one baby have this problem.

Fraternal twins always have two placentas. The risks of pregnancies with fraternal twins are similar to those of pregnancies with only one baby. However, the number of possible risks are increased when compared to pregnancies with one baby.

Identical twins may have one placenta (70% of the cases) or two placentas (30% of the cases). The risks of identical twins with two placentas are similar to those listed above for fraternal twins. Identical twins with one placenta (called monochorionic) have risks that are unique to them. In 5 to 15% of the cases, they may develop a condition called twin-twin-transfusion-syndrome (TTTS). This is the consequence of vascular communications at the placenta level between the twins. Due to these communications, the twins may share their blood. When this happens — if nothing is done — there is a 90% risk that the twins will die in-utero. In-utero procedures are performed to decrease the fetal death risk for the twins.

Another complication that can happen in identical twins with one placenta is called twin-anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). This is due to blood that goes from one twin to the co-twin because of vascular communications at the placental level. In this condition, one twin becomes anemic (low red-blood cells), whereas the co-twin becomes polycythemic (too many red-blood cells). Several treatments/interventions are performed when this happens.

A third condition that can occur in identical twins with one placenta is called” selective IUGR”. One twin grows well, whereas the co-twin does not experience much growth.

Another condition typical of identical twins is called twin-reversed-arterial-perfusion syndrome. In this condition, the heart of one twin pumps blood for the circulation of both twins. One twin does not have the heart and will not survive following birth. The outcome of the twin with the normal heart varies. Fortunately, this syndrome is rare (1 in 20,000 to 40,000) and it is amenable to in-utero procedures.

Identical twins with one placenta may also be in the same sac. They are called monochorionic (one placenta)-monoamniotic (one gestational sac). This pregnancy occurs in 1% of multiple gestations and it’s associated with an increased risk for one or both twins.

Your healthcare provider will diagnose the above conditions with an ultrasound.

Am I more likely to have a C-section delivery if I’m carrying multiples?

A cesarean section is a procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision (cut) in the abdomen. This type of delivery might be used for a variety of reasons, but it’s fairly common in multiple births. Your chance of having a C-section for a multiple birth is higher than if you were pregnant for only one baby. However, even in single births, a C-section can sometimes be the safest option for delivery.

Often, the babies aren’t in the right position for birth — head down. A C-section can also happen if you have a complication during pregnancy that means a vaginal birth isn’t the safest option for you or your babies. Your healthcare provider will monitor you leading up to your due date and talk to you about the best option for delivery.

What can I do to stay healthy during a multiple pregnancy?

Eating nutritious foods, getting enough rest, and visiting the doctor regularly are important steps for any pregnant woman to take toward a healthy pregnancy. These steps are especially important during multiple pregnancies.

If you’re expecting multiples, you have additional dietary needs to meet. Getting enough protein and enough hydration (fluids) is important. You’ll also need to make sure you get enough extra calories for the developing fetuses. One rule of thumb is to eat an extra 300 calories a day per baby. That means that if you’re pregnant with twins, you will need to add 600 calories to your daily diet. Talk to your healthcare provider about your diet and the specific amounts you’ll need for a healthy pregnancy.

Moms of multiples might also experience the typical discomforts of pregnancy more intensely. It’s important to take good care of yourself and get plenty of rest to help ease the stresses of pregnancy.

In some cases, you might want to find a healthcare provider who has experience with multiple births. Specialized healthcare can help ensure that you and your babies are receiving the best care available. The need for frequent, intensive prenatal care is very important in a multiple pregnancy. Talk to your family doctor or OBGYN about their recommendations for specialists.

Can I be active and exercise during a multiple pregnancy?

Exercise and activity is an important part of any pregnancy. In most cases, you can absolutely exercise during a multiple pregnancy. Low-impact exercises are a great way to stay in shape and maintain your health throughout pregnancy. Some low-impact exercises to try during a multiple pregnancy can include:

• Swimming.
• Walking.
• Prenatal yoga.

Even though activity is wonderful during pregnancy, you should talk to your healthcare provider about the best activities for you. Some more strenuous activities might not be a good idea during a multiple pregnancy, including:

• Jogging.
• Aerobics that involve jumping.

It’s also important to remember that your exercise routine might need to change over time if you experience any complications.

Diary of a mother of many children: Learned to juggle triplets like a circus performer!

Komsomolskaya Pravda

Society: Portrait of the Phenomenon

Anastasia Aksyanova

August 27, 2016 1:00

38 -year -old Komsomolkiy gave birth to two boys and a girl at the same time - and tries to educate them without the help of grandmothers and nannies

Nastya and her kids: Ivan, Fedor and Rita. Photo: Sergey and Olga Martynov

Some people are afraid to have one child: sleepless nights, diapers, responsibility... But Anastasia Aksyanova from Moscow had three at once! She and her husband are raising their children together. About how it is to live with triplets, Anastasia talks on her page on social networks. nine0004

Shoot in bulk

I used to sincerely believe that I had a rich imagination. But I could not imagine such a turn of events under any circumstances.

Eight weeks pregnant, I'm at an ultrasound.

- Nastya, you have... triplets, - the doctors gathered around them smiled so broadly, as if someone had tied the strings tightly on the back of their heads. - Two kids in a common fetal egg and one in a separate one. But immediately shoot yourself - in bulk!

At that moment I was speechless. The silent scene, which involved forced smiling doctors and one very surprised woman with an ultrasound probe in an interesting place, was worthy to be immortalized in stone . ..

It was clear from the look of the people in white coats that they were now ready for anything. To any circus. But the show didn't work. My body mercilessly slowed down, not giving out any reaction at all. triplets? Come on, come on!

Then a nightmarish fuss began and instructions were given to me, I only had time to write down. At the same time, the administrator caught me in the corridor and for the first time uttered the word “reduction”. “You think, why do you need three? Where are you so many? How to bear and raise them?

At home, the first thing I did was firmly tamp my husband (hereinafter - Charizmych) into the corner of the sofa. There was absolutely nowhere for him to fall, and I threw ultrasound pictures at him like a grenade.

- In short, Ivan, here is the deal. We have triplets,” I said in a suddenly hoarse voice. Charizmych at that moment looked dashing and silly. “Nda-ah,” he drawled and smacked his lips. - Nu where two - there and three! Let's break through, ”the husband concluded, and we both giggled stupidly, like two teenagers in an erotic film.

I couldn't sleep at night. And the World Wide Web helpfully slipped me a pile of information about what a catastrophe befell me. I read everything I could about the horrors of pregnancy and miscarriage. It seemed to me that something so irreparable and monstrous had happened, and the thought of choosing “reduce or leave” was so heartbreaking that I sobbed for several hours in a row. Past my mind's eye, waving handkerchiefs at me, they passed in formation: a career, achievements in beauty and physical education, the ability to manage their free time, and God knows what else. In a word, my whole life flashed before my eyes and collapsed to three tiny dots on the ultrasound images. The next morning, I began to have toxicosis. Fortunately, it only lasted a week and a half, and with his departure, my sense of humor returned. nine0004

“Look, aunt, like a cat”

I did not like being pregnant. It's physically uncomfortable. I had to constantly take an incredible amount of tests. Of course, this is not surprising. For a person, the norm is the bearing of one child. Two is a risk. There is nothing to say about three. I often heard the word "pathology". And after the birth, while walking with a stroller in the park, I caught a glimpse of how a woman explained to her little daughter that, they say, look, the aunt “like a cat, gave birth to several cribs at once.” nine0004

On the other hand, a woman pregnant with triplets can bring a lot of positive emotions to those around her. And not only with the hilarious gait of a whale thrown onto land and taken upright. She is like poor children in Africa, against which a decent person is ashamed to complain about life. For example, your friend recently gave birth. And he suffers a lot. Postpartum depression, lack of time for yourself, the whole life upside down. Then a friend suddenly finds out that you are pregnant with triplets. And her personal drama becomes insignificant against the backdrop of this apocalypse. Dying at the same time from horror and delight, she tells you: “Well, you, mother, will definitely stand up!” nine0004

“The happiest period”

All eight months I waited with some bewilderment for complications, terrible edema, pressure, nightmarish stretch marks and premature birth. At first, the task was to endure at least up to 28 weeks - at this time, children are already successfully rescued. When we skipped the 30th week without much effort, a new goal appeared - to reach another four weeks - at this time, the triplets are considered full-term, and the risk of serious vision problems in children disappears. Riding a kolobok for another month seemed absolutely incredible to me! My stomach was so heavy. When the month was up, my best doctor in the world decided, “Well, honey, we need to hold out for another two weeks. Look at your belly. Who's to say there are triplets? None! Look, the twins in the next room are one and a half times bigger! At that moment, I burst into tears - so tired of this “happiest period in the life of every woman” ...

On the third day after caesarean, weight loss was 14 kilograms out of 17 gained during pregnancy. My body was like a rented apartment that the tenants had hurriedly left, taking out almost all the furniture. That did not prevent me, having bent over three deaths, on the second day to go to the children's intensive care unit, where my children were assigned for mandatory observation. Despite the fact that they were born with a good weight for triplets - two kilograms plus / minus three hundred grams. However, not finding anything to complain about, the doctors quickly transferred us to the ward for premature babies - to put on weight and do all kinds of tests. nine0004

We have been discharged. At the exit from the perinatal center, the guard did not want to let us out for a long time. He demanded escorts, he was suspiciously interested in why three of them suddenly ran into a sale? I had to rummage around in my bags and show extracts for each of the children, as well as compare the features, proving that it was I who gave birth to them all. Lord, why was I in such a hurry? At home, a stupor attacked my husband and I. We did not understand at all what to do with these three gnomes!

Cope without grandmothers and nannies? nine0019

The first week passed in a blur. When three newborns scream at once, you involuntarily fall into some kind of trance, not knowing where to run. I didn’t even remember about the pacifiers right away! Any “wah-ah-ah” heard in the nursery area told me personally only one thing: something terrible is happening! Children dying. And even if they are not even sick with anything, then they will probably just burst from their own heart-rending scream. I remember several episodes when I found myself sobbing from impotence in unison with the children. I can't say which of us cried the loudest. The husband sometimes consoled: “Don't worry! They develop the lungs so much!” nine0004

Over time, I learned to juggle children like a real circus performer. I managed to rock all three at the same time: I had a baby in each hand, and one in my lap. Having memorized all the songs from The Bremen Town Musicians, I spent half a day on the bed with the children, trying not to sing too out of tune. Sometimes the children in this booth even fell asleep, but more often they stared at me, starting to yell as soon as I let go of them to do something else.

To this day, every minute I have to come up with something hitherto unseen in order to cope with three children with two hands. nine0004

“How are you doing?”, “Who is helping you?” and “Do you sleep at all?” - These are the most frequently asked questions from acquaintances and strangers. I'm funny, by God! The one who has such an opportunity can not cope. If you are placed in a situation where you simply have no other choice, you will have to cope. Of course, when there are helpers: caring grandmothers, trusted nannies, housekeepers, and so on, you can afford to wring your hands and talk about your own heroism, greatly exaggerating the scale of the disaster. But when you have triplets, you simply do not have time for such nonsense. Your most important task is to ensure the survival of innocent babies and not stick together flippers yourself. No time to even complain! Because we still have time to clean up, cook dinner, and it would not hurt to put ourselves in order. nine0004

Almost like in the army

Our life now most of all resembles the regulated existence of prisoners in a strict regime colony. Feeding, sleeping, walking - everything is subject to a schedule, any violation of which entails inevitable chaos.

The only way to keep the system working is army discipline. I feel that my children will land on the potty after the general formation and without any objections. How else? Each parent has their own responsibilities, and each can replace the other if something happens. For example, the holy duty of our folder is swimming and strolling. By the way, the latter completely replaces fashionable crossfit classes - try pushing up the hill, even with a slight slope, 20 kilograms of a stroller plus 18 kilograms of children. nine0004

Among other things, the absence of helpers immediately cuts off any opportunity to waste time worrying about some trifles. Children cheerful, ruddy and steadily gaining weight? Fine! So I'm doing everything right.

Even one baby changes the life of a family beyond recognition. What can we say about three at once. Many very simple things are technically inaccessible to me. In fact, while my husband is at work, I am locked within four walls, except for the ability to run out of the house to the nearest store while the children sleep in cribs, developing at the same time such speed that it is more like teleportation. From now on, a trip to the hairdresser from a utilitarian event turns into a holiday, and a banal car ride with music into a party. nine0004

But I will leave aside discussions about the hardships of babies in the first year of life. After all, kids are a lot of fun. Suddenly, from screaming loaves, they turned into little people who are already able to communicate, smile and change the intonation of a cry depending on their mood. And my children prove to me that nothing is impossible. So the other day, one of the sons, actively enjoying the process of changing the diaper, simultaneously burped and wrote to himself in his left ear. What a circus performer, huh!

JOKE AND SERIOUSLY

We are asked - we answer!

It is with great pleasure that I collect all kinds of funny questions asked by curious fellow citizens of Charizmych and me at the sight of our three-seater transport.

◆ ◆ ◆

Dialogue between husband and wife with one child in a pram:

- Oh, you saw it?! Cool, yeah? Imagine, you and I are like this!

- God forbid! Terrible! Horror. Thank God we don't!

Charismatic voice Troubadour:

- We bring laughter and joy to people!

◆ ◆ ◆

- And what, all of you?!

- No, we rented two, because we thought that we were not tired enough with one.

◆ ◆ ◆

And more. Oncoming men through one wink at Charizmych and either in the face or in the back they throw: “The man is handsome!” That is, you see, I bore, I gave birth! Now I am a darn with a crooked seam and a selfless mother of three children with only six extra pounds and always, you hear, always dyed hair roots, and handsome - Charizmych! Well, what an injustice! nine0004

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Prolongation of pregnancy in triplets after the birth of the first fetus (description of observation)

Perinatal morbidity and mortality among premature babies is significantly higher than among full-term babies. Premature births account for approximately 70% of all early neonatal deaths. One of the most important independent risk factors for preterm birth is multiple pregnancy. At the same time, triplets are more than 9 times pregnant.7% of observations are completed before 37 weeks. The average gestational age at the time of the birth of triplets is 33 weeks [1]. It is especially important to emphasize that with triplets, early preterm birth is very common. In recent years, after a decline in the 1980s, the frequency of multiple pregnancies has been steadily increasing. In Russia, in recent years, approximately every hundredth birth is a twin birth, and the frequency of triplets over the past 20 years has increased by 5.5 times [2].

Unfortunately, there are currently no effective methods for preventing preterm birth in multiple pregnancies. The results of reviews of the Cochrane Library indicate no effect of β-mimetic agents on the outcome of multiple pregnancies [3, 4]. The effectiveness of progesterone, which reduces the risk of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies, has not been proven in multiple pregnancies [5]. In addition, even the effectiveness of preventing fetal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) with corticosteroids has not been confirmed in multiple pregnancies [6]. nine0004

All these facts dictate the need to find new ways to reduce perinatal losses in multiple pregnancies. One of these methods is the delayed birth of fetuses after the birth of the first. In most cases, labor continues after the birth of the first fetus, but sometimes labor can be stopped at this stage. Such a tactic in many cases improves the outcome for the second (third) fetus, whose gestational age at the time of delivery is longer than that of the first. And, if for twins a lot of cases of delaying the birth of the second fetus have already been described, including three cases carried out by us [7], then the cases of prolongation of pregnancy after the birth of the first fetus from triplets are described much less: only a few - in different publications [8-10 ]. At the same time, all authors note an increase in survival in the second / third fetuses. nine0004

A relatively significant number of triplets with pregnancy prolongation was described by B. Arabin and van J. Eyck [11], who shared 17 years of experience in prolonging pregnancy after the birth of the first fetus from a multiple pregnancy in one perinatal center in the United States. During this time, an attempt to prolong pregnancy was made in 38 triplets. In 26 cases, second and third births occurred immediately despite tocolytic therapy. Only 12 patients managed to delay the birth of the second fetus. It should be noted that if between the birth of the first and second fetus it was possible to achieve an interval of 2-13 days (and in one case even 144 days), then between the birth of the second and third fetus the interval never reached even 2 days. In cases where the first fetus was born before 25 weeks ( n = 7), all the first twins died, and 2 of the next 14 twins survived. If labor began after 25 weeks ( n = 5), 3 out of 5 first and 4 out of 10 subsequent children survived [11].

At the same time, management after the birth of the first fetus is not clearly defined, and different methods are used in different centers, ranging from expectant management to suturing the cervix [12, 13].

Based on literature data and our own experience [14], we concluded that pregnant women with bichorial twins/trichorial triplets between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation should be selected for attempting to delay the delivery of the second fetus. Contraindications to the procedure were clinical or laboratory signs of chorioamnionitis, placental abruption, rupture of the fetal bladder of the second fetus, anomalies in the development of the second fetus, maternal conditions in which pregnancy prolongation is contraindicated (preeclampsia, etc.). Here is our observation of prolongation of pregnancy after the birth of the first fetus from triplets. nine0004

Patient K . , 38 years old. Menstrual function without features. Husband 63 years old, healthy. Since 2009, she has been examined and treated for infertility. In 2009, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, during which no organic obstacles to pregnancy were identified, but ovarian cauterization was performed. In 2010, 2011 and 2013, intrauterine insemination with ovulation stimulation was performed 3 times. The pregnancy did not occur. In 2014, repeated diagnostic laparoscopy, after which a decision was made to prepare for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In 2014, the IVF procedure was performed with the replanting of three embryos, all the embryos took root. nine0004

The initial weight of the patient before the onset of pregnancy was 115 kg with a height of 178 cm. From the beginning of pregnancy, the patient received hormonal support with micronized progesterone. In the course of ultrasound examinations at 12, 15, 18 and 21 weeks, no abnormalities were detected. Ultrasound examination in the period of 24-25 weeks in the consultative and diagnostic department of City Clinical Hospital No. 24 revealed shortening of the cervix to 5 mm and prolapse of the amniotic sac into the cervical canal. The patient was referred for hospitalization. nine0004

A pregnant woman was admitted to the Perinatal Center of City Clinical Hospital No. 24 at 24–25 weeks of gestation with a diagnosis of pregnancy at 24–25 weeks. Trichorionic triplets. ECO. The threat of premature birth. Isthmic-cervical insufficiency (ICN). Prolapse of the fetal bladder. OAGA. Obesity III. Varicose veins. When examined with the help of mirrors, prolapse of the fetal bladder beyond the external os, more than 1 cm in diameter, was found. 13 days after hospitalization, premature rupture of the membranes of the first fetus was recorded. Taking into account the gestation period of 26 weeks, the absence of signs of an infectious process (normal level of blood leukocytes, negative procalcitonin test, normal body temperature), a decision was made to prolong the pregnancy. nine0004

Regular labor activity developed 16 days after hospitalization (at 26–27 weeks). First fetus in cephalic presentation. A decision was made to carry out childbirth through the birth canal, followed by an attempt to stop labor. The patient received written informed consent.

A live premature girl was born 680 g, 32 cm, with an Apgar score of 4 and 5 points. The anhydrous interval of the first fetus was 3 days 17 hours. After the birth of the first fetus, tocolysis with atosiban was started, the umbilical cord was cut as high as possible with the help of mirrors. After 2 hours, a control ultrasound examination was performed: there were two fetuses in the uterine cavity, the first in cephalic presentation, the heartbeat of both fetuses was 130–140 beats/min, Doppler blood flow was within the normal range. Discharge from the genital tract is bloody, scanty. The uterus is in a normal tone. Considering the satisfactory condition of the fetuses and the pregnant woman, the absence of labor activity, the patient was transferred to the department of pathology of pregnant women. A second course of prevention of fetal RDS with betamethasone was started (more than 2 weeks have passed since the first course). nine0004

After 3 days, the patient developed regular labor activity, tocolytic therapy had no effect, and a live premature girl 800 g, 33 cm was born in cephalic presentation, with an Apgar score of 5 and 6 points. Despite an attempt to stop labor, after 5 minutes a third live premature girl was born in a pure breech position, weighing 750 g, 31 cm tall, with an Apgar score of 5 and 6 points. The postpartum period in the patient proceeded without complications.

nine0002 In the first child, despite the introduction of a surfactant, respiratory failure gradually increased, the ventilation regimens gradually became tougher, and death occurred on the 4th day. The second and third children received respiratory support with binasal CPAP (positive expiratory pressure breathing) after surfactant administration. On the 3rd day, the second fetus developed episodes of apnea, the frequency of which gradually increased, in connection with which the child was transferred to mechanical ventilation on the 5th day, myoclonic convulsions appeared on the 8th day, and signs of renal failure appeared on the 18th day. . At the age of 1 month 12 days, death was recorded against the background of increasing multiple organ failure. The third child against the background of increasing respiratory failure on the 8th day of life was transferred to mechanical ventilation, which was carried out for 1 month. From the 18th day of life, he stopped receiving cardiotonic therapy; from the 23rd day, enteral nutrition was started. The child was on independent breathing from 39-th days of life. Discharged home at the age of 2 months of life. Thus, only the third child of the triplets survived.

Based on the foregoing, it should be noted that the practice of prolonging pregnancy for the second and third fetuses in triplets after the birth of the first has the right to exist. It is very likely that the repeated course of RDS prevention, as well as the additional 3 days spent in the uterus, increased the chances of survival of the second and third fetuses.

In addition, this case is an additional vivid illustration of the need for strict legal restrictions on the number of transferred embryos during IVF [15].

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