A vanishing twin (or disappearing twin) is part of Vanishing Twin Syndrome (VTS). VTS occurs when one of a set of twins spontaneously disappears during pregnancy, and normally results in a single birth. What really happens is that one of the twins aborts and is absorbed by the remaining twin, the placenta or the Mother. Some estimates say that as many as 1 in 8 births started out as a twin while only 1 in 70 will actually be born as twins.

While it may seem that there has been an increase in the amount of vanishing twins over the last few years the increase can be accounted for by the increase in medical technology actually detecting this phenomenon. In the past, if a Mother lost a twin, there may not have been any indication that she was having twins. Today, many pregnant Mothers have an ultrasound early in the pregnancy, which can show that she is carrying twins.

There may not be any symptoms associated with VTS. Other times, much like a normal miscarriage, a mother may experience bleeding, cramping, or pelvic discomfort. Sometimes, a decrease in hormone levels may be detected. When VTS happens during the first trimester, the mother usually goes on to have a normal pregnancy can delivery. When VTS occurs later in pregnancy, there may be complications such as infection, hemorrhaging, or preterm labor. Your health care practitioner will need to treat these problems.

Sometimes when VTS occurs, remnants of the fetus may remain as a sheath of flat, tissue like skin called a fetus papyraceus. This happens when the remaining twin presses up against the remains of the vanishing twin and absorbs the remains.

Physically, a mother that has VTS may never have any symptoms, however, emotionally this phenomenon carries a special type of hardship. Many parents struggle between feeling happy that they are expecting, but sad at the loss of one of their twins. Parents who struggle emotionally should seek out the help of their health care practitioner and/or a counselor to help deal with the unique circumstances surrounding VTS.

Posted in Pregnancy

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