[Twin pregnancies and their outcome at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, in the period of 1993-2000]. / Przebieg ciazy i porodu w przypadkach ciaz mnogich w materiale Kliniki poloznictwa i Ginekologii Instytutu Matki i Dziecka w latach 1993-2000.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the course of twin pregnancies delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, from 1993 to 2000. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical documentation of women with twin pregnancy was looked into. Such parameters as mode of conception, maternal age and parity were taken into account. The data concerning the duration of pregnancy, mode of delivery, birth weight and condition of newly born infants were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There a total of 232 (1.46%) twin pregnancies out of 15,869 births. A gradual increase in absolute number of twin deliveries and a relative increase of multiple pregnancies due to the use of assisted reproduction techniques was observed. The tendency to end twin pregnancies by caesarean section was detected. Although the perinatal care improved over the years, a small decrease of mean gestational age at delivery was observed. No significant difference in neonatal outcome in relation to the mode of delivery in researched material was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The number of twin pregnancies due to the use of assisted reproduction techniques is on the increase. A percentage of women delivering for the first time has risen among women with twin pregnancy. Twin pregnancies are often ended by caesarean section and the frequency of caesarean sections has increased over time.

[Pregnancy and travel]. / Ryzyko dla przebiegu ciazy i rozwoju plodu zwiazane z podrózowaniem.

The special problems of travel during pregnancy have become clinically important as more women are traveling to remote places for business or recreation. Many issues need to be considered in providing health advice to the pregnant traveler. Health practitioners should be able to assist in the careful medical preparations that will ensure the safety of the pregnant woman and fetus during travel. Journey may increase the risk of pregnancy complications because of inherent physiological changes or exposure to environmental hazards and infectious disease. Usually standard interventions are not recommended during pregnancy. In pregnancy, the maternal and fetal benefits of protection from disease and its complications must be carefully balanced against the small, often theoretical risk, of adverse effects following immunization. In some circumstances the best advice may be to postpone travel if effective preventive measures against disease cannot be undertaken and access to medical care is uncertain.