You must have been so happy when you found out you were having twins, or even triplets, right? But sometimes, one of the babies you saw on the first scan can disappear on a later scan. This is what we call 'Vanishing Twin Syndrome' in medicine. You may feel sad and shocked when you hear this. But don't worry, we'll explain everything clearly.
Let's simply look at what this 'Vanishing Twin Syndrome' is.
Simply put, Vanishing Twin Syndrome is a type of miscarriage that occurs in multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets. In this case, an embryo that was initially detected on an ultrasound scan is not seen on a subsequent scan. This means that the embryo stops growing and its tissue is absorbed into the mother's body and the remaining embryo(s).
Imagine, you first find out you're having two babies, but later on, only one of them is left. The tissue from the other fetus is absorbed by the remaining baby and the mother. This absorption process is not entirely harmful. It's something that happens naturally.
How common is Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
It's hard to say exactly how common this is, because in many cases, some mothers can lose one of their fetuses before they even get their first ultrasound scan. Then, neither the mother nor the doctor knows that there were twins in the first place.
However, those who scan early in pregnancy are more likely to detect this condition. For example, those who conceive a child through the 'test tube baby' method, that is, `(IVF)`, are scanned as early as six or seven weeks. Research has shown that between 7% and 36% of multiple pregnancies from `(IVF)` can develop this condition, `Vanishing Twin Syndrome`.
Another thing is that research has found that this condition is slightly more common among pregnant women over the age of 30 .
What are the symptoms of this? Do you feel these too?
The symptoms of Vanishing Twin Syndrome are very similar to those typically seen in the first trimester of pregnancy. Because of this similarity, it is possible to go unnoticed that one of the twins has disappeared.
Here are some of those symptoms:
- Feeling like cramps in your uterus.
- Slight bleeding or spotting.
- Pelvic pain.
- Back pain.
Now you might be thinking, "Oh, these are the things you usually feel in early pregnancy." Yes, that's true. That's why it's sometimes hard to tell apart.
The most important thing is that if you experience lower abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding during pregnancy, you should definitely see your doctor.
Why does this happen? What are the causes of 'Vanishing Twin Syndrome'?
In Vanishing Twin Syndrome, the vanishing twin is unable to develop fully due to genetic irregularities in the DNA, or genetic information, of the twin. These genetic code irregularities are not something we can control or prevent. Most of the time, these are present at the time of conception.
It's like a lottery. Sometimes, small changes in the embryo's genes can prevent it from developing properly. You need to understand that this is not your fault.
How do you know for sure if you have Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
Your doctor can often detect this condition during an ultrasound scan. If a fetus that was present on a previous scan is not seen on a subsequent scan, the doctor may conclude that it is Vanishing Twin Syndrome.
Sometimes your doctor may also check the level of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood. Your body produces this hormone during pregnancy. This hormone level can give you some idea of how your pregnancy is progressing. If it is high enough for a multiple pregnancy and then suddenly stops, it could be a sign of Vanishing Twin Syndrome.
Could it be a misdiagnosis?
Ultrasound technology is very reliable in diagnosing Vanishing Twin Syndrome. The chance of human error is very small, but it is not impossible.
How do I know if I had a 'Vanishing Twin'?
You may not always know if you have a 'vanishing twin'. Imagine if one of the embryos disappeared like this before you even had your first ultrasound scan? Then neither you nor your doctor would know that you were expecting twins in the first place.
Sometimes, after you give birth, doctors can find pieces of the missing fetal tissue in your placenta. Before ultrasound technology, fetal tissue found in the placenta was the only way to know if you had a Vanishing Twin Syndrome pregnancy.
What is the treatment for this?
The best thing to do with Vanishing Twin Syndrome is to take care of yourself and your surviving baby and get proper management. The care you receive will depend on when in the pregnancy the twin disappeared.
If the fetus is lost in the first trimester...
In most cases, if the miscarriage occurs in the first trimester (that is, within the first three months), there is very little chance of any complications for you or the surviving baby. Your pregnancy will proceed normally.
If the fetus is lost in the second or third trimester...
However, if the miscarriage occurs in the second or third trimester (that is, after three months), your doctor may want to monitor your pregnancy more closely. Pregnancies that develop Vanishing Twin Syndrome after the first trimester are considered high-risk pregnancies.
'High risk' means that your baby is more likely to have health problems, or that you are more likely to have an early delivery.
Your doctor will consider several factors when determining how high-risk your pregnancy is. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor about how this diagnosis will affect your pregnancy and upcoming delivery.
Is there a way to prevent Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
No, you can't prevent Vanishing Twin Syndrome. When a miscarriage occurs, many mothers feel guilty and wonder if they could have done something differently to have a healthy baby. But the truth is, genetic abnormalities that cause a fetus to stop growing cannot be cured or prevented. So, don't worry too much about it.
What can you expect if you have Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
If the miscarriage occurs during your first trimester, you can expect a normal pregnancy without any complications. However, if it occurs after the first trimester, you may need more frequent follow-up (monitoring) from your doctor, as there is a risk of pregnancy complications.
How do you take care of yourself? Mental wellness is so important!
When you receive a diagnosis of Vanishing Twin Syndrome, it is important to give yourself the strength and care you need to cope. Caring for yourself after learning about a vanishing twin can be especially challenging. On one hand, you may be grieving the loss of your twin, but on the other hand, you are still pregnant. It is a very complicated feeling.
Talk to your friends and partner about your feelings. This can be a great relief. Sometimes, it's also a good idea to seek professional support, such as a therapist or grief counselor.
Ask your doctor what to expect as your pregnancy progresses. Having a clear understanding of the medical care you will receive over the next few months will help you focus on your physical health as well as your mental well-being.
Everyone copes with the loss of a miscarriage differently. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions you feel. Whatever you feel, understand that those feelings are valid. It's just as important to take care of your physical health as it is to take care of your emotional needs to support your pregnancy.
Shall we remember what we talked about together? (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so let's remember the most important points we talked about:
- Vanishing Twin Syndrome is a condition that occurs in multiple pregnancies, where one of the fetuses disappears. This is similar to a miscarriage.
- The main reason for this is genetic abnormalities in the fetus, not your fault. This cannot be prevented.
- If the fetus disappears in the first trimester, there are usually no major complications.
- If this happens in the second or third trimester, the pregnancy may be high-risk and requires close monitoring by doctors.
- It's normal to feel sad, disappointed, and confused when going through an experience like this. Take care of your mental health. If necessary, seek help from friends and professionals.
If you're facing this situation, remember that you're not alone. Talk to your doctor about everything and get the support you need.
` Vanishing Twin Syndrome, miscarriage, twins, pregnancy, fetus, ultrasound, mental health
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