Abstract

Objective: To examine the population-based trend for cesarean births in twin pregnancies for the last 13 years in Slovenia, and to find correlates for this trend.

Methods: We evaluated data from the Slovenian national perinatal information system (NPIS) of all twin pairs born at ≥24 weeks during the period 1997–2009 (n=3916 pairs).

Results: We noted a significant and steady increase of about 1.1% cesarean births/year, concomitant with significant increased birth rates at 34–36 weeks, but with a significant decrease over time in neonatal mortality. These trends were neither associated with any particular maternal characteristic nor with increased neonatal morbidity.

Conclusions: An association exists between an increased cesarean birth rate, increased preterm births at 33–36 weeks and concomitant significantly reduced neonatal mortality in twins.