All of the following are complications of twin pregnancy except?

NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2019

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Medium

Appeared in: NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

Post-maturity refers to a pregnancy that lasts longer than 42 weeks.
Twin pregnancies rarely extend beyond the due date because the overstretched uterus often triggers labor earlier.
The average gestational period for twins is around 36-37 weeks, which is considered early term or late preterm.
Due to increased risks, elective delivery of twins is often planned before 40 weeks, making post-maturity highly unlikely.

Option A: Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is a known and more frequent complication in twin pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancies.
Option C: Low birth weight is one of the most common complications of twin pregnancies, largely due to the high rate of premature birth and potential for intrauterine growth restriction.
Option D: The incidence of congenital malformations is significantly higher in twin pregnancies, especially in monozygotic (identical) twins.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Complications of Multiple Gestation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must provide enhanced antenatal surveillance for women with twin pregnancies, including frequent monitoring for signs of preterm labor, fetal growth, and maternal complications like pre-eclampsia.
Patient education is critical. The nurse should teach the mother to recognize and report signs of preterm labor, such as regular contractions, pelvic pressure, and changes in vaginal discharge.
Nutritional counseling is vital to support the growth of two fetuses and minimize the risk of low birth weight.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the keyword 'except'. This means you are looking for the option that is NOT a complication.
Next, evaluate each option based on your knowledge of multiple gestations.
Consider Option A, 'Abortion'. Recall that miscarriage rates are higher in twin pregnancies. So, this is a complication.
Consider Option C, 'Low birth weight'. Remember that twins are often born prematurely and share resources, making low birth weight very common. This is a complication.
Consider Option D, 'Congenital malformations'. The risk of birth defects is known to be higher in twins. This is a complication.
Finally, consider Option B, 'Post maturity'. Think about the physiology: a uterus carrying two babies is overstretched, which typically leads to earlier, not later, labor. Therefore, post-maturity is not a typical complication.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 58-72

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1049-1051