Vanishing Twin Syndrome

I need to get off the internet! Im 9 weeks and beyong worried about this. I di dhave an U/S at 8 weeks. SHowed two HB, at 147 and 153. How common is it? Less so since I saw 2 good strong HB? Would I know if it happened? Im about ready to call my OB and ask for an U/S! He will think Im nuts.
I also wanted to add that at my u/s both babies were measuring exactly the same. 7w4d when I was 8w2d.

 

It is not unusual to have this concern! I had the same ones. If you've already seen two strong heartbeats, which you have, then the chances are much less. I have heard it's more common than you would ever expect but typically you would lose it early, like before you even knew you were pregnant. Keep the faith and know you are not nuts for thinking this way. If you were, than I was, and I don't want to call myself nuts

 

I was also very nervous about this but I think that this usually happens around 5 weeks or more often before women even know they're pregnant. I think it's very rare for it to happen once heartbeats are confirmed (so try not to worry!) Congratulations on your twins and beware of the internet- there's too much information out there (and a lot of it's bad)- this is a great site to get any of your questions answered!

 

You definitely have some positives in your favor, hearing the heart beats is a big one and heading towards 12 weeks which is another big one. My understanding is VTS drops significantly after 12 weeks.

It is perfectly normal to be concerned but one thing I learned during pregnancy is to try to concentrate on the things in our control like eating right, taking your vitamin, getting lots of rest, drinking tons of water, attending your regularly scheduled doc appointments etc. Something like a twin vanishing is out of your control and stress is soo not good for you or the babies! I know it is hard but definitely worth trying your hardest!

I don't think docs will do an u/s to check on the babies since there really isn't anything that can be done at this point. I definitely do not think he will think you are nuts, it is perfectly normal to be concerned, but I do this his hands would be tied in terms of actually being able to do it. He might be able to check you with the doppler? That might be reassuring for you?

Unfortunately, I think this worrying thing is an unavoidable aspect of motherhood. I didn't know I was having two until 19 weeks so I avoided the beginning concerns but from then on it was I don't feel them both, I think I am leaking, was that a contraction? To after delivery, are they still breathing, are they supposed to do this, are they doing that too late? Gotta love being a mom!!

 

I know exactly how you feel. I am 14 weeks and had an u/s today. I had my first u/s at 9 weeks 3 days, and ever since then, I have been obsessed with VTS. Not a day went by I didn't worry about it. It is a good sign that you have seen both heartbeats. That significantly lowers the risk. My mind is finally at ease since I saw them both doing fine today. Are your twins fraternal? The doctor told me that the risk for fraternals is much less than for identicals. And that it usually happens very early, around 5-6 weeks. I know how you feel. Just know that others have been where you are and everything turned out fine. Congrats on your twins!

 

QUOTE(Dianne @ Jun 21 2007, 10:43 AM) [snapback]301780[/snapback]
You definitely have some positives in your favor, hearing the heart beats is a big one and heading towards 12 weeks which is another big one. My understanding is VTS drops significantly after 12 weeks.

It is perfectly normal to be concerned but one thing I learned during pregnancy is to try to concentrate on the things in our control like eating right, taking your vitamin, getting lots of rest, drinking tons of water, attending your regularly scheduled doc appointments etc. Something like a twin vanishing is out of your control and stress is soo not good for you or the babies! I know it is hard but definitely worth trying your hardest!

I don't think docs will do an u/s to check on the babies since there really isn't anything that can be done at this point. I definitely do not think he will think you are nuts, it is perfectly normal to be concerned, but I do this his hands would be tied in terms of actually being able to do it. He might be able to check you with the doppler? That might be reassuring for you?

Unfortunately, I think this worrying thing is an unavoidable aspect of motherhood. I didn't know I was having two until 19 weeks so I avoided the beginning concerns but from then on it was I don't feel them both, I think I am leaking, was that a contraction? To after delivery, are they still breathing, are they supposed to do this, are they doing that too late? Gotta love being a mom!!


I agree with Dianne.

I had an US at 6W4D and saw 2 strong HB. The doc said i had a 50% chance of VTS (becaseu it was still so early) and not to tell people it was twins yet. (of course we did). I think the closer you get to 12 weeks the chances of having it happen go down. Hang in there. I agree that there would be no reason for an US yet. Can you make an appt for one after 12W?

We couldn't heard both our babies HB with the doppler until about 16Weeks so I'm not sure that would help right now. It would make you panic if you couldn't find both HB's (which is very normal at this point).

 

My dr told me about VTS too. At my 7.5 week u/s when we first found out TWINS, one was measuring a week or so smaller. So I was given the info on vanishing twin. It took until 12 weeks for the smaller twin to catch up. Then they were always a week or so ahead. I was told too that after 1st tri (12-14 weeks) the % for losing a twin drops dramatically.

GOOD LUCK!!! :good:

 

I'm SO in the same boat -- constantly worrying about VTS and driving myself nuts by reading too much about it! I'm 12 weeks as of yesterday and am having my 2nd u/s tomorrow, so hopefully I can relax after that. Well, until it's time to start worrying about the amnio ..

Had my first u/s at 9 weeks, and that's when we found out it was twins. Did see two heartbeats (though I didn't get the heartrates) and two same-sized baby beans then, so I feel pretty good about things, but still it's a constant worry in the back of my head ...

Good luck, and try to be strong for a few more weeks till your next appt!!

 

QUOTE(ellaila @ Jun 21 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]302048[/snapback]
I'm SO in the same boat -- constantly worrying about VTS and driving myself nuts by reading too much about it! I'm 12 weeks as of yesterday and am having my 2nd u/s tomorrow, so hopefully I can relax after that. Well, until it's time to start worrying about the amnio ..

Had my first u/s at 9 weeks, and that's when we found out it was twins. Did see two heartbeats (though I didn't get the heartrates) and two same-sized baby beans then, so I feel pretty good about things, but still it's a constant worry in the back of my head ...

Good luck, and try to be strong for a few more weeks till your next appt!!



My babies were measuring the same size too. When i was 8w3d they were both measuring 7w3d. Plus good HR. I have an US tomorrow cuz of some spotting so Im REALLY scared. Plus, Im still not out of the woods yet. Im only going to be almost 10w. I keep hearing that VTS is at about 5% once you hear the HB..I hope that is accurate cuz thats a % I can live with. I guess.

 

QUOTE(nikkiof5plus2 @ Jun 26 2007, 12:36 AM) [snapback]307246[/snapback]
My babies were measuring the same size too. When i was 8w3d they were both measuring 7w3d. Plus good HR. I have an US tomorrow cuz of some spotting so Im REALLY scared. Plus, Im still not out of the woods yet. Im only going to be almost 10w. I keep hearing that VTS is at about 5% once you hear the HB..I hope that is accurate cuz thats a % I can live with. I guess.


Good luck with the u/s (is that today or tomorrow?) -- keep us posted!! :hug99:

 

I had a vanishing twin, but I was 6 weeks when I lost my dd's twin. When I went in the next day for an u/s (i didnt know I was pg with twins) all we saw were 2 sacs, 2 fetal poles and 1 hb...I dont think the other baby ever had a hb..VTS is VERY common, but most women dont know they are pg with twins..I think since you've seen both hb your chances for losing 1 goes down dramatically...Plus your already 9 weeks. so that's great...

CONGRATS to you..

p.s. I did want to mention when they did the u/s on this pg I was 9 weeks and 1 of the babies was smaller and had a smaller sac..They are BOTH now the same size..Their hr are the same within a few beats and they are measuring the same oz at every appt....

 

QUOTE(*Momma Coots* @ Jun 26 2007, 09:46 AM) [snapback]307485[/snapback]
I had a vanishing twin, but I was 6 weeks when I lost my dd's twin. When I went in the next day for an u/s (i didnt know I was pg with twins) all we saw were 2 sacs, 2 fetal poles and 1 hb...I dont think the other baby ever had a hb..VTS is VERY common, but most women dont know they are pg with twins..I think since you've seen both hb your chances for losing 1 goes down dramatically...Plus your already 9 weeks. so that's great...

CONGRATS to you..

p.s. I did want to mention when they did the u/s on this pg I was 9 weeks and 1 of the babies was smaller and had a smaller sac..They are BOTH now the same size..Their hr are the same within a few beats and they are measuring the same oz at every appt....



Thanks. That makes me feel better too. My first us was early so that is why I am nervous I guess. But from what Ive ben reading, 8w is good and I heard 2 hb. Seems VTS is more common earlier on. I checked my due date again and since my cycles are shoter (25 days) Im technically 10w on Thursday! That makes me feel VERY good. I will update when I get home today.