TWINS: Timing of Birth at Term- A randomised controlled trial.

This trial is currently recruiting. The trial is open for other centres to join the study.

Based on data that has looked back in time over a large number of twin pregnancies (called retrospective data), most women with a twin pregnancy give birth earlier (around 36 to 37 weeks gestation) than women with a singleton pregnancy. These studies suggest that there is an increase in the risk of stillbirth for twin pregnancies, from 37 weeks. While giving birth at 37 weeks may reduce the risk of stillbirth, any potential benefits for your babies’ in earlier birth need to be balanced against other risks (including that your babies’ may have some difficulty with their breathing and need to spend some time in the nursery). This trial is looking at whether elective delivery at 37 weeks pregnancy is better for mothers and their babies, than the current care women receive (called standard management). Standard management varies between hospitals and doctors, and may involve induction of labour (or caesarean section if this is appropriate) after 38 weeks, or waiting for labour to start spontaneously.