Vanishing Twin...

[TopazMortmain]

Hi

I had an early scan last week which showed two sacs of the same size. Had another scan today and one sac was 19mm with a HB of 96 but the other sac was apparently empty and only 9mm . Today is 5 weeks + 6.

The doctor said that the smaller sac is not viable.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What can I expect?

Thanks a lot - now really worried about embryo with heartbeat.

[SpannerPants]

I had this - apparently it is v common. I was scanned again at about 8 weeks and there was just one heartbeat/sac/embryo and the other was much smaller and apparently was being absorbed by my body. Although at the time I heard a lot of stories about the other sac catching up - sometimes they develop along different time frames. I'm now nearly 36 weeks with a singleton pregnancy.

Are they planning on scanning you again? Have you had any bleeding? I know it's difficult but the best thing you can do is try to relax. Good luck x

[TopazMortmain]

Hi and thanks

This pregnancy business is not good for the nerves is it?

I have another scan in a week so will have to wait and see. Am now trying to readjust my mind from two to one . Really happy there is one heartbeat but so scared that will go wrong too (obviously no foundation for this fear but...)

[buttonmoon78]

Fear often has no foundation, which is why it can be difficult to conquer.

I hope your scan goes well next week. It will be difficult to adjust from 2 to 1 but I truly hope that the remaining baby stays put and thrives.

I know from personal experience that the way we are now (we know everything so very early) can lead to so much worry that people a generation ago simply did not have. Not sure whether it's a good or bad thing TBH.

Good luck and have a

[Coppernoddle]

My friend had amazing pregnancies! She has a split heart shaped womb and ovulated every month from both ovaries. Every time she got pregnant (the first she had no idea) she would miscarry, full on bleed, then go for her scan and one baby would still remain! Amazing what your body can do! After that, she would have very healthy, full term pregnancies and babies! If the fetus has a strong heartbeat, there's a very strong chance that baby will be fine! The fact that it's developing well is very positive! Good luck for your scan next week x x

[thisisyesterday]

not quite the same but when my friend had her son the consultant came back into the room afterwards to show her the placenta! because it had 2 umbilical cords and he thought she might like to see it lol

aaanyway, long story short, obv there was a twin which they didn't know about. interestingly it got far enough along to have an obvious umbilical cord tho, nd then just disappeared which is weird.

but the point of my story is that her baby was/is absolutely fine and healthy

[Dumbledoresgirl]

I had this but only found out at 9 weeks when I had some bleeding. Scan showed one empty sac and one heartbeat - I was relieved as I hadn't known there were 2 in there and was just so pleased to discover I still had one.

Just to say what has already been said really: all you can do is relax and keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully all will be well with your little one. Oh and expect some bleeding at some point (empty sac expelling). There is nothing awful to see, but after my first red blood bleed which alerted me to the fact that something was wrong in the first place, I then had a large amount of horrid brown blood about a week later. Fortunately I had been warned it would happen, it would have gtiven me a heart attack otherwise.

Good luck, and take care.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

Quick addition: the bleeding I described is not inevitable. The materials that made up the other sac can be reabsorbed into the body. Just so you know.

[curlywurlycremeegg]

I have also had VTS, was pretty convinced I had a twin preg from the start as felt really unwell, hyperemesis etc. Had a small bleed at 12 weeks (hadn't had a scan prior) and the sonographer found 1 heartbeat and two sacs. VTS tends not to cause any problems if it occurs in the first trimester, I had some bleeding on and off for the first 18 weeks then things settled down and my DD was born at 41 weeks with no problems.

[TopazMortmain]

Thanks everyone - I feel a lot better now!

I suppose the worrying never stops does it? Am going to have to distract myself somehow for the duration!

[TopazMortmain]

Hallo

A quick update with more confusion... the ultrasound today showed one very healthy embryo with heartbeat. The 'empty sac' has grown to 17mm from 9mm and now has a 3mm (embryo? yolk sac?) but no heartbeat (yet?)

The doctor said to expect only the large one was viable but I am perplexed by the growth of the smaller one and have to go back in 7 days for another scan to see what's what.

[PoppysMom]

Well, there may still be hope then? As someone said further up they can develop at different speed?
Growth shows that it is...well, growing. Will they check on the little one soon?

[PoppysMom]

Sorry, I have no medical training, but to me the fact the other sac has grown and has a little pole in it sounds good.
My baby's HB was first seen when it was 4.5mms. That was at 7 weeks pregnant, so it may still be ok

[schobe]

I had a singleton mc earlier this year that sounds like your smaller sac. It did grow and progress a little but was never right.

There should really be a heartbeat at 6+ weeks. I don't want to upset you but it would be awful if you started getting your hopes right up for them to be dashed later - I think the doctor is right.

I know a few people this has happened to and it's still hard even when their second one thrived and they had healthy single babies. Be kind to yourself.