17/11/2025
Prematurity means being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. In multiple pregnancies it is common, and the risk increases with each additional baby. Around six in ten twins are born preterm. For triplets, 92–98% arrive before 37 weeks, with the average around 32.3 weeks, roughly four in ten before 32 weeks and about one in eight before 28 weeks. For higher-order multiples, preterm birth is almost universal, with studies placing the average around 30–31 weeks. These figures dictate the care from the beginning, including how often scans are scheduled, which hospital is suitable, and what kind of newborn care may be needed.
An early check also sets the plan. Confirming whether babies share a placenta or fluid sacs (chorionicity and amnionicity) creates a clear monitoring timetable and helps guide expectations about timing of birth. Accurate, timely screening keeps families closely followed so that decisions and interventions can happen when needed. When everything is going well, good screening can also prevent unnecessary procedures and may reduce the chance of an even earlier birth. This is at the heart of the World Prematurity Day theme this year: giving preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future by getting care right from the beginning.
More information:
https://sbee.link/3knhmj6d9y
https://icombo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ISUOG-Practice-Guidelines-The-Role-of-Ultrasound-in-Managing-Twin-Pregnancies.pdf
GFCNI
