Have you ever heard of a pregnant woman carrying twins suddenly losing one of her fetuses? The incident was not caused by mystical things, but a medical condition called vanishing twin syndrome (VTS).
Vanishing twin syndrome is a condition when one of the twin fetuses disappears in the womb. It is estimated that there are about 20-30 percent of twin pregnancies that experience this condition.
Vanishing twin syndrome more likely to be experienced by pregnant women who are more than 30 years old. The reason is that pregnant women at that age are more susceptible to chromosomal abnormalities in twin pregnancies.
Reason Vanishing Twin Syndrome
The case of the loss of these twins usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is in the 6th or 7th week. It is not yet clear how one of the twins suddenly disappeared. However, there are several factors that are thought to cause the fetus to be lost, that is:
1. Chromosomal abnormalities
The presence of chromosomal abnormalities can cause one of the twin fetuses to not develop perfectly, so that the fetus is aborted or dies in the womb.
2. Abnormalities of the umbilical cord
When the umbilical cord does not function normally, the flow of food and oxygen to the fetus is also not optimal. This can make one of the twin fetuses not develop and eventually fall in the womb.
3. The dominance of one fetus
The dominance of one fetus over its twin can also be the cause of this vanishing twin syndrome. This dominance generally occurs in identical twin pregnancies who share a placenta or placenta.
Symptom Vanishing Twin Syndrome
Most cases vanishing twin syndrome cause no symptoms. However, pregnant women who experience this condition may experience symptoms similar to the signs of a miscarriage, such as:
- stomach cramps
- Vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
In addition to the three symptoms above, pregnant women who experience VTS will also experience an increase in hormone levels human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is slow. To determine the level of increase in the hormone hCG, an examination by a gynecologist is needed.
How to Diagnose Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
Diagnosis to find out whether or not the twins are missing can be done by ultrasound examination in the early stages of pregnancy.
For example, at the initial ultrasound examination, usually at 6 or 7 weeks of gestation, doctors find two developing fetuses in the mother's womb. However, during subsequent ultrasound examinations, doctors only found one live fetus.
That is why it is important to do an ultrasound examination as early as possible, especially for those of you who have a history of multiple pregnancies.
Are There Health Risks for Mothers and Fetuses Who Survive Vanishing Twin Syndrome?
If detected in the first trimester of pregnancy, vanishing twin syndrome usually will not have a negative impact on the health of pregnant women and fetuses that are still alive in the womb. No special handling is required to handle vanishing twin syndrome in the first trimester of pregnancy.
However, if it occurs in the second or third trimester, vanishing twin syndrome can harm a living fetus. Some of the risks that can be experienced by fetuses who survive vanishing twin syndrome was born with cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy), was born prematurely, or had a low birth weight.
If you experience vanishing twin syndrome, try to stay calm, because excessive sadness and anxiety can have a negative impact on the fetus that is still in the womb. Consult an obstetrician about ways that can be done to prevent risks to the remaining fetus and have their condition checked regularly.
