How Likely is a Vanishing Twin?
QUESTION
Dear Ms Ultrasound,
I am 27 years old and pregnant for the 6th time. I have two children, 8 years and 3 years and have suffered 3 early miscarriages. My last period was May 13, 2004.
I had an ultrasound about 2 weeks ago which showed two gestational sacs -- one a little smaller than that other. Today, I had a follow up and found two babies, both with good heartbeats. Twin "A" was 156 and Twin "B" was 162. Both measure about 7 weeks and a few days. Twin "A"'s sac is considerably smaller than Twin "B"'s though and the doctor said that this could result in a vanishing twin; however, with the good heartbeat and measurements, the pregnancy may progress normally.
What is the chance of a vanishing twin after a strong heartbeat and good measurements? And what effects does a vanishing twin have on the surviving twin?
Thanks.
Kim
ANSWER
Hi Kim,
Congratulation on your twins! Two heartbeats up in the hundred fifty plus range is a good first sign! From my experience, a baby that is about to get into trouble heart rate drops below hundred. That's when I begin to worry.
I don't know what considerably smaller means when the Doctor was describing the smaller sac. If they both measured 7 plus weeks they must be fairly close in size. I do not know the percentage of twins that do not make it. It sure sounds to me like you are on a good track with these two.
If a twin does not make it, especially this early there is no effect on the other twin.What I do like to share is how important I think it is that a mother stop the medical chatter in her brain, that results in a lot of anxiety. Let it all go. Enjoy every moment with these blessings you created, starting now.
-- Jane, RDMS
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Jane Foley
Jane Foley has worked as a Sonographer (Ultrasound Technologist) since 1979. Jane has lived and worked in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. She is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or RDMS. She pulls a wealth of information from her experience in the field of Radiology and her interactions with such a broad cross-section of cultures she has visited. She now makes her home on the island of Maui with her English husband, Michael.
Jane is also one of the nations leading experts in what she calls Pregnant Dreams. A pregnant dream is a dream about an unborn child that has accurate, predictive information about the baby or pregnancy. She has been researching the predictive value of dreams surrounding pregnancy for many years. Jane has found her ultrasound clinic to be the perfect laboratory for the study of dreams and pregnancy. She has been asking her pregnant patients for many years about their dreams. The stories they share are definitely book worthy. Jane's website, www.Janefoley.com explains the Pregnant Dream phenomenon and shares sample stories from around the world.
