Vanishing Twin Syndrome?

I went in for a second U/S at 8 weeks to see if Twin "B" has a HB and has caught up in growth. As it turns out, Twin "A" is measuring right on(8 wks 2 days) and Twin "B" has a HB(slow compared to her sister) but is measuring 2 weeks behind(6 weeks). My RE thought I most likely will miscarry her in the next couple of weeks and the chance of her survival is slim. My RE referred to it as the Vanishing Twin Syndrome. Please share your thoughts and experiences with me. I am trying to prepare for either outcome.

Oh no, how sad.  I am so sorry.  I pray both babies keep growing and hearts keep beating. 

Sorry no advice but I am praying that both your baby keep growing.

I have heard of this on several occasions, unfortunately. The second baby just isn't strong enough or doesn't take hold. But a lot of times there is never a HB but I think you still have a very good chance that she may make a come back- just be a slow grower. I also know when the one twin miscarries, it does NOT effect the remaining healthy twin so you shouldn't have to worry about that.

THINKING OF YOU! And hope your 2nd little sweet girl gives you a pleasant surprise!

Akanded is right.  Youv'e seen a HB so that is a good sign but be cautious.  Since it is so early it should not be harmful to Twin A should Twin B not make it.  I am sorry that your going through this.  It is hard to deal with.  I had triplets early in my pg and one miscarried at 7 weeks or so.  By 12 weeks the U/S person could not even tell that she had been there.  I guess your body absorbs the baby.  Please keep us updated on your girls. 

Everybody pretty much told you what I have read/heard. 

 I will be thinking of you and your little girls.  KUP

I have heard of this as well....I had a friend who was preggo and they thought she had a m/c of a singleton.  They told her her hcg was at 0, and they were going to give her a pill to help her pass the rest of the tissues....well she felt as if she was still preggo and decided not to take that pill.....turns out she was still pregnant and they screwed up her bloodwork.  They then told her they felt like she might have been preggo with twins, and one m/c.  When she gave birth to her boy 9 months later, they found the remnants of a second placenta that was not fully formed.

 So I think it is common, I have heard of other people having a vanishing twin (though none like the other story I told you), and they all had healthy singleton babies.

GL to you, HTH!!

I know nothing about this, but I will for you and your baby girls.  Thinking of you and hoping everything turns out for the best.

Kiki Jane

I also wanted to say I pray for the best outcome for both of your babies right now. 

 

Hi.  I had VTS with my Hi Tech Pregnancy.  The pregnancy began with beta numbers that were goofy.  They would increase every two days, but not double.  The doctors told me that they suspected VTS.  It was confirmed by U/S.  Gigi's "sister" never even had a heartbeat.  My body began to reabsorb the lost twin by 8 weeks.  It resulted in a small hematoma that they watched for a few weeks after they turned me over to my OB. I had some spotting during this time.   It was totally gone by 12 weeks.  Gigi thrived and was never affected by it!.  Apparantly it is not uncommon in high tech pregnancies.  Good luck. 

I'm glad to hear that you've seen 2 HBs--1 strong and 1 that I hope catches up.

As for a Vanishing Twin, I had one with my natural 2nd pregnancy (DS #2). My OB doesn't do betas and my 1st appointment was at 9 weeks and we saw DS #2's HB and then we saw an empty sac with a tiny bean inside. My OB thought that the twin had stopped developing at about 6 weeks and there was nothing I did to cause this, it just happens.

They also said that Vanishing twins happen a lot more often in natural pregnancies and no one knows it b/c the twin stops developing before an u/s can pick it up. By my 2nd u/s (at around 12/13 weeks) they couldn't see the sac anymore. I had a little bleeding with that pregnancy, but otherwise he's a H&H 2 year old!

Thinking of you and hoping that since the twin has HB that it will get only stronger and that everything will be okay.   Hugs to you and I will be looking for you updates and hoping for some positive, good news.  TJ

I have not experienced this personally, but from my own twin research, I understand it can be very normal.  Apparently it probably happens a lot, but we just know about it more now that ultrasounds are done so commonly and so early.

If the second embryo does stop growing (in these early weeks), chances are very high the remaining healthy one will continue to develop to term.

Best wishes,

GZ

  I will just echo was GZ said. It is very common, although it still sucks. I have read that more than half of twin pregnancies will have a vanishing twin. Basically the weaker twins heart starts with a much slower beat if it beats at all, and often measures behind but not always. As many others have mentioned, in cases of the vanishing twin the stronger twin is generally unaffected. 

   I am sorry to hear you may be facing this. No good.

I had a vanishing twin.  Started out fine, a little behind in growth with a slightly slower hb.  By 8.5 weeks, had completely stopped growing and no more hb.  The end result was Julia, who did absolutely fine.  The only problem was, I had a lot of bleeding and cramping when I lost her, and since no one told me that would happen and it was the weekend, I thought I had lost both babies and had to wait until Monday for the u/s.  Otherwise, I was okay.  I just wish the RE could have explained that I could have bleeding, because that was scary.  Especially when he told me that I would feel nothing.