Antepartum uterine contraction patterns in twin pregnancies with and without preterm labor and delivering before or after 36 weeks.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in antepartum uterine contraction frequency (UCF) in twin pregnancies with and without preterm labor (PTL). Twin gestations enrolled for outpatient surveillance with twice daily electronic uterine activity monitoring and telephonic nursing assessment, without interventional delivery were identified. Mean UCF for each gestational week was compared between women without PTL or preterm delivery (PTD) < 36 weeks (controls) and those with a PTL diagnosis delivering at < 36 weeks (PTL/PTD group), and those with PTL with delivery > or = 36 weeks (PTL/GAD > or = 36 group). Data from 7891 patients with 267,840 monitored hours were analyzed. UCF at each gestational week was significantly higher for patients experiencing PTL with or without PTD compared to control. UCF was similar for patients with PTL with or without PTD < 36. Twin pregnancies complicated with PTL have a higher UCF than those that do not experience PTL. Outpatient surveillance may be beneficial in this population.