Pattern of twin births in Nigerian Igbo women.

The incidence of twin birth among the Nigerian Igbos from this study is 1 in 36.2 or 27.6 per 1000. The commonest pair presentation was vertex/vertex and the incidence of pre-term delivery was 27.8%, six times higher than in single controls 4.5%. The commonest mode of delivery was spontaneous vertex. Breech delivery was most prevalent in the second twin while assisted delivery (forceps and ventouse) showed no difference between the twins themselves and between them and the controls. However, caesarean section rate was much higher for the twins, particularly the second twin compared to the singleton controls. Twin pregnancies and delivery being high risk, are best managed in specialist obstetrics and gynaecological centres.