QuestionCan you tell me a little more about vanishing twin syndrome? I ask because I had an early ultrasound at 5weeks 3days, and it reveled two yolk sacs. I am extremely nervous that both won't make it because I thought vanishing twin was extremely common. However, I am 34, have had 2 prior successful pregnancies (no m/c at all), and no abnormalities of the uterus. My husband and I are both incredibly healthy and have gotten pregnant each time on the first try. Does those factors reduce my personal risk? Also, if I were to lose a twin, what would be the symptoms? To date I have had strong hcg numbers and no bleeding or cramping. I am only 6 weeks along right now.
AnswerHello Natalie from the U.S.,
If you want textbook type information, I will leave that to you to research. That information will be available on the internet.
However, to give you some understanding and reassurance regarding a vanishing twin, it just means that one of the twins has stop progressing in development, and will eventually disappear from view. The most common reason for this is because the embryo is abnormal i.e. has some major genetic abnormality. This would be the same as a miscarriage if it were the only one, but since there is two, the second twin produces adequate hormones for the pregnancy to continue and the body does not see that there is a miscarriage present. For that reason, the body does not go through a miscarriage. The smaller fetus that stopped, will eventually be reabsorbed into the body, hence "vanish" from view.
There is not additional risk to the surviving fetus, as long as it is normal. It will continue and the pregnancy will continue as a normal pregnancy. Occassionally both are lost but that is probably because they both were abnormal. It is too early in your pregnancy to predict what would happen yet, but if your pregnancy continues beyond 8 weeks gestational age, the fetus grows appropriately and you don't have any other problems, chances are high that the pregnancy will be successful to term.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf
