Women’s Views Regarding Participation in a Proposed Randomized Controlled Trial of Twin Delivery

Objective: To determine the views of women regarding participation in a proposed multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing planned vaginal birth to planned Caesarean delivery for twins at 32 or more weeks’ gestation, in which the first twin (twin A) is presenting as a vertex. Methods: Pregnant women with a known twin gestation were recruited from 2 hospital centres. Written information was provided about the proposed Twin Birth Study, and the women were then requested to complete a questionnaire to determine their views regarding participation in the proposed trial. Results: Of the 64 women recruited for the study, 31 (48%) indicated they would be willing to consider participating in the proposed trial (95% CI, 37-60%), 14 (22%) were unsure about trial participation (95% CI, 13-33%), and 19 (30%) indicated they would not be willing to participate in the proposed study (95% CI, 20-42%). The most common reason for agreement to participation was altruism (n = 28). Those who responded “not sure” wished to speak with their partner (n = 5) or their doctor (n = 8) before deciding on participation. Of those who indicated they would not participate in the proposed trial, 12 (63%) indicated they preferred to have a vaginal birth, and 7 (37%) preferred to have a Caesarean section. Conclusions: Almost half the women in our sample were agreeable to considering their participation in a randomized trial that will compare planned vaginal birth to planned Caesarean section for twins at 32 or more weeks’ gestation with twin A presenting as a vertex. Altruism was the most common reason for agreeing to participate, whereas preference for a specific mode of delivery was the most common reason for declining participation. Objectifs: Déterminer les opinions des femmes en ce qui concerne la participation à un essai randomisé multicentrique proposé comparant l’accouchement vaginal prévu et l’accouchement par césarienne prévu, en présence de jumeaux à 32 semaines de gestation ou plus, lorsque le premier jumeau (jumeau A) se trouve en présentation du sommet. Méthodes: Des femmes enceintes présentant une grossesse gémellaire connue ont été recrutées à partir de deux centres hospitaliers. Des renseignements écrits leur ont été offerts au sujet de l’étude proposée sur l’accouchement de jumeaux. On a par la suite demandé à ces femmes de remplir un questionnaire, afin de pouvoir déterminer leurs opinions quant à la participation à l’essai proposé. Résultats: Des 64 femmes recruté