TWIN BIRTHS

Course overview

TWIN BIRTHS ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 PERCENT OF LIVE BIRTHS IN THE UNITED STATES. BARRING PREGNANCIES THAT RESULT FROM ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY, DIZYGOTIC TWINS ARE FAR MORE COMMON THAN MONOZYGOTIC TWINS AND ACCOUNT FOR 70 PERCENT OF ALL TWIN GESTATIONS. TWIN GESTATION IN ITSELF IS NOT AN ADEQUATE OBSTETRIC DIAGNOSIS. DEFINITION OF THE PLACENTAL CHRONICITY IS ESSENTIAL, AS MONOCHORIONIC TWIN GESTATIONS HAVE UNIQUE ASSOCIATED RISKS THAT REQUIRE SURVEILLANCE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TWIN BIRTHS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS IN COLLABORATING TO PROVIDE WELL-COORDINATED CARE AND ENHANCE OUTCOMES FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS AND FAMILIES.