Twins-Ultrasound Shows Only One viable-Help!

When one sac is empty and has stopped growing it is called a blighted ovum. Often with a twin pregnancy it is also called a vanishing twin syndrome or a blighted twin if it occurs in the first trimester.

This should not cause any problems with the surviving twin and it will be treated like any other single pregnancy you have had as the twin loss happened in the very early stages of pregnancy. It might cause a problem if you lost a twin in the second or third trimester.

The empty sac will either be absorbed into your body, absorbed by the surviving twin, or you might experience some mild bleeding to pass the remains. However, if you do have any bleeding and/or cramping you still want to alert your OB and have it checked out to make sure there isn't a problem with the remaining twin.

I'm sorry for your loss but want to offer congrats on your pregnancy with the surviving twin.

Unfortunately this does happen all the time where what seems to be a twin start is in reality a singleton. The sac is absorbed or it may appear as a miscarriage, with the other sac staying attached and okay make sure your are being healthy, staying active(not hard with kids) and taking your vitamins. Call your doctor for an explanation of the ultrasound results and they should go into it further with you to alleviate your fears. If at this stage they are not talking to you freely, choose another Doc. as you will need to talk to them throughout the pregnancy.

I agree it sounds like vanishing twin. I just delivered a single baby 3 weeks ago which started out as 2. I didn't even know there were two in there, but I started bleeding and cramping like a miscarriage around 8 weeks pregnant and made an appt for a D&C and when I went in they found that I still had one viable and had a vanishing twin. My baby is fine, I bled/cramped for a good 2 weeks I think, and then that was it. I haven't heard about any problems with the remaining baby in a vanishing twin situation.
Don't worry. Everything will be fine.