Vanishing Twin

Updated on September 06, 2008
A.B. asks from Shakopee, MN
11 answers

Hi, I had an early ultrasound and found out I was haveing twins! Then to find out at 12 weeks found that one was no longet thriving. Anyone had a vanishing twin and know more about it. Was your other child OK? I feel that doctor was not really concerned, I just want to know more.

Thanks. A.

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S.R.

answers from Appleton on

I don't know much about it, but a former co-worker had a vanishing twin (that was the first I heard of it) and her other child was born healthy and now about 2yrs old... doing great! I hope you find the information you are looking for.
~SR

More Answers

L.C.

answers from Janesville-Beloit on

It really is more common than everyone thinks, but because you had an ultrasound so early you saw the twins. Most of the time it occurs and no one knows. By the time you have your ultrasound at 20 weeks, the twin has been completely absorbed and the remaining baby is just fine.

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H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Our first pregnancy was twins (discovered by ultrasound at 6 weeks) but by the 10 week follow-up, only one baby was left. He is now a very healthy 4-yr-old. According to my doc, it is quite common, it's just that most are not caught since early ultrasounds aren't routine. She never thought our son was in danger, or that the pregnancy was in trouble due to the vanishing twin.

It's hardest on you, the parents, since for a few weeks you were expecting two babies. But, medically, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Good Luck!

J.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

One of my co-workers niece was a twin at the early stages of pregnancy, and the other baby did not thrive. She is currently 6 years old and perfectly healthy.

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M.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have twins who are now 6 years old. I found out at my very first visit that I was having twins. I read so much during my pregnancy about carrying twins and one of the things I came across is the vanishing twin syndrome. Apparantly it is extremely common and (I do not remember the percentages) so many of us started out as twins and our twin just disolved before anyone knew about them. It is only due to advancing technology that we are even aware of this. It is nothing to be concerned with at all. I guess the one who made it was just the stronger of the two (which is a good thing). And do not worry it is more common than you would think. Good Luck & enjoy your pregnancy!

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H.D.

answers from Madison on

My mother-in-law experienced this. Her daughter, who just graduated high school was one of the twins. Early ultrasound and dopplar indicated twins, but later it was just the one. I don't have more info that that other than to let you know that Corinna has been just fine. She was a little bothered by the fact she was a twin, but other than that she is perfectly healthy.

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M.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

We conceived twins via in-vitro and lost one at 13 weeks (did not find out until about a month later, when I had spotting and they did an ultrasound...based on size they guessed 13 weeks). Since I did have spotting etc. associated they were a little concerned and had me bedrest for a week, but that was all.

The other baby was healthy and although I had gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia he did very well the whole pregnancy. Right now he is a very active and happy 9month old! The other fetus does just typically absorb itself without issue.

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J.M.

answers from St. Cloud on

I had the same thing happen to me. They say that your body will absorb the other fetus. My son is now 2 and is perfectly normal!! Hope this helps

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A.H.

answers from Rochester on

My son was a twin but I lost his sibling. I thought I was having a full on miscarriage. I bled and cramped and passed clots so horribly. But some how my son survived and is now a healthy almost 9 year old boy. Even if you bleed and every thing still hold out hope. My son is proof that it may just turn out ok after all.

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A.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I was supposed to have twins a year and a half ago and I did not know it til my water broke and I went to the hospital. The doctor came in to check me and said that I had 2 bags of water... so she had to break the water of my daughter. WEIRD.... My Daughter is now 1 1/2 and sassy as ever and very healthy!

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K.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

They did a whole show about 2 years ago on discovery health. I believe they said at the end of it that 2 out of 3 pregnancies start out as twins. So its quite common. I'm sure your baby will be perfect.

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