Vanishing twin syndrome is a type of miscarriage. When more than one embryo appears to be developing in your uterus, you might be told that youre carrying twins — or in some cases, triplets or more. Later in the pregnancy, though, one of the embryos or fetuses may no longer be detected.Vanishing twin syndrome
What causes vanishing twin syndrome?
Vanishing twin syndrome was first recognized in 1945. This occurs when a twin or multiple disappears in the uterus during pregnancy as a result of a miscarriage of one twin or multiple. The fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, multiple, placenta or the mother. This gives the appearance of a “vanishing twin.”
How do you know if you have vanishing twin syndrome?
Vanishing twin syndrome is typically diagnosed by ultrasound. If an early ultrasound shows a twin pregnancy, but a mother experiences symptoms of miscarriage or lower-than-expected hCG levels, or only one heartbeat can be detected via Doppler, a doctor may suspect vanishing twin syndrome.
How common is disappearing twin syndrome?
According to one study, about 36% of twin pregnancies experience vanishing twin syndrome. It also occurs in around half of multiple pregnancies, or pregnancies where a woman carries more than one baby. Some researchers think the number of women who experience this syndrome may be increasing.
What is a vanishing twin in pregnancy?
Vanishing twin syndrome, as the name depicts, is a condition in which one of a set of twins or multiple embryos dies in utero, disappear, or gets resorbed partially or entirely, with an outcome of a spontaneous reduction of a multi-fetus pregnancy to a singleton pregnancy, portraying the image of a vanishing twin.
Can I have triplets with IVF?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) means that your egg and your partners sperm are joined (fertilized) in the laboratory and the doctor places the fertilized eggs (embryos) into your womb. It is much less likely that you will become pregnant with triplets or more if only one or two embryos are placed in your womb.
What month are twins usually born?
Twins are usually born around 36 weeks -- four weeks early. Triplets arrive at about 33 weeks, and quads often make their debut at 31 weeks.