Missing a twin is relatively uncommon, but the frequency varies depending on factors such as genetic factors, when the pregnancy was confirmed, or even the location. When only one of a set of twins is present at delivery, it is called monozygotic or “vanishing” twin syndrome.
The frequency of monozygotic twins occurring in the general population is estimated at one in every 80 to 100 pregnancies, while the frequency of a missing twin is significantly less. It is thought that in most cases, the twin miscarriage occurs within the first trimester of pregnancy, often before the mother is even aware that she is pregnant with twins.
In some cases, however, the twin is not discovered until later in the pregnancy, during ultrasounds. Reasons for the missing twin can include early pregnancy loss due to genetic abnormalities, unequal sharing of nutrients and blood supply, natural abortion, or selective embryo reduction.
Can a twin be missed at 12 week ultrasound?
Yes, it is possible to miss a twin during a 12-week ultrasound, depending on the positioning of the babies and other factors. Twins, especially identical twins, can be difficult to detect in early pregnancy, since they often share the same fetus sac and placenta.
It is estimated that around 1 in 8 pregnancies start out as a twin pregnancy, so if a twin is not seen at 12-weeks gestation, it may be because the other baby has not yet developed enough for detection.
However, in some cases, it is possible to miss one twin completely, or to underestimate the number of babies present. Twins may be found during subsequent ultrasounds, or they may not be discovered until after the mother goes into labor.
In cases when twins are missed until labor, cord entanglement is a possible complication. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to monitor pregnant women with suspected or known twins closely, especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
Can twins go undetected at 12 weeks?
It is possible for twins to go undetected at 12 weeks gestation, however, it is far less likely with advancements in prenatal ultrasound technology. During the 12 week gestation period, a clinician will typically order an ultrasound to check the growth and development of the baby, during which twins may be detected.
However, due to the positioning of each baby and the placenta they may not be clearly seen on ultrasound. Additionally, it is not uncommon for twins to share one placenta, meaning only one placenta may be seen and thus only one baby identified on an ultrasound.
In some cases, mothers may also not have any detectable hormones that indicate multiple babies, making it harder for doctors to detect twins. For these reasons, it is possible for twins to go undetected until after the 12 week gestation period, however, it is far less likely.
Is it possible for one twin to hide behind the other?
Yes, it is possible for one twin to hide behind the other. Twins come in all shapes and sizes, so depending on the size difference between them, it could be a feasible task to accomplish. Twins can also use their physical attributes to their advantage, with one taller twin having the potential to obscure their shorter companion from view.
In addition to physical differences, twins could also use the environment to their advantage, finding an object to conceal themselves or simply misdirecting an observer’s attention in order to allow one twin to hide behind the other.
Ultimately, being able to hide behind your sibling is a valuable complimentary skill set often seen in effective fight, flight, or flee strategies.
How late can ultrasound detect twins?
Ultrasound can be used to detect twins as early as 6 weeks into the pregnancy. Most healthcare professionals use ultrasound to detect twins around 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, as this is when it can be more accurately determined whether there are two or more babies in the womb.
After 12 weeks, the twin pregnancy is usually very obvious on an ultrasound scan. In some cases, though, it can be difficult for the technician to identify twins until 16-20 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, it is much easier to count the number of heartbeats and observe how the babies are moving to make a definite diagnosis.
In general, ultrasound can detect twins at any stage of the pregnancy, but it is best to wait for 8-12 weeks for a more accurate result.
Can you miss twins on early ultrasound?
Yes, it is possible for twins to be missed on an early ultrasound. Generally, twins will be detected during a routine ultrasound between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy, however, sometimes if the twins are in different sacs or one is hidden behind the other, a double heartbeat may not be detected on the ultrasound and twins can be missed.
It may also be difficult to spot twins if the baby’s growth is slow or if one twin dies or miscarries in-utero, making the other not as visible. A missed twin diagnosis is uncommon, but it is still possible.
It is recommended that patients with a history of twins in their family get an advanced ultrasound to ensure all babies are detected.
What is a ghost twin pregnancy?
A ghost twin pregnancy is a rare pregnancy where one of the twins stops developing in the womb and is absorbed by the other fetus or the mother’s body. It is also known as an “vanishing twin” because the fetus is “absorbed” or disappears.
Although the majority of ghost twin pregnancies do not cause any issues, in some cases, it can lead to complications for both mother and baby.
In general, when two embryos are present in the womb during a multiple pregnancy, one (or both) can stop growing and be reabsorbed by the other twin. The odds of this happening increase if the twins are identical and sharing a placenta.
This phenomenon can occur anytime in the pregnancy, although usually before week 12.
If a mother has a ghost twin pregnancy, she may experience high levels of hCG hormone, as there may still be some tissue from the absorbed twin in the mother’s body. High hCG levels can cause complications, including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or even a miscarriage.
It may also be harder to detect or diagnose the remaining baby with regular ultrasound or other prenatal tests.
In the majority of cases, a ghost twin pregnancy does not lead to any complications for the mother or the remaining fetus. However, if you are having a multiple pregnancy, it’s important to monitor your baby’s health closely and inform your doctor if you have any concerns.
What do you call a twin that doesn’t look like you?
If you are an identical twin, but you don’t physically look the same, you can be referred to as a “mirror image twin. ” This term is used to describe siblings that share the same DNA but look different due to genetics.
In other words, one of you might be right-handed while the other is a lefty, or you may look somewhat similar but just have different facial features. Other terms you may hear are “pseudo-identical” or “semi-identical twins,” which are used to describe twins sharing different sets of DNA.
Is it normal for twins to be behind?
No, it is not necessarily ‘normal’ for twins to be behind in terms of development or school performance. Every child develops at their own rate, and it is possible for twins to be on the same development or school performance level as other children their age.
However, it is true that twins can often be slower to develop at a range of developmental milestones because they spend so much time together.
For example, because they spend so much of their time with each other, they may not be exposed to the same kind of speech or language development as a single-born child. Twins may also lag behind a single child in terms of fine and gross motor skills, as they rely on each other for practice and may not have the same opportunities for exploration and learning.
Parents of twins should not be too discouraged if they appear to be progressing slower than their peers, as all children are different and develop at their own pace. Additionally, there are a variety of support options that parents can access to help their twins catch up.
These include activities such as reading programs and parent/child sessions, as well as additional individual attention and educational support.
What is the rarest twin?
The rarest type of twin birth is known as “monozygotic-triamniotic triplets. ” This occurs when a single embryo splits into three genetically identical fetuses, resulting in three identical babies born at the same time.
This form of multiple births is rare, occurring in less than one in 100,000 pregnancies. Monozygotic-triamniotic triplets are rarer than other forms of twins because they occur when a single embryo splits and results in three babies, whereas other forms of twins occur when two eggs are fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
The rarity of this form of twins is due to the delicate balance of hormones, both naturally produced and artificially administered, that must be just right for the embryo to be able to split in the same manner as a fertilized egg does.
Is it possible to miscarry only one twin?
Yes, it is possible to miscarry only one twin. Twin pregnancies often come with a higher risk than single pregnancies, so the risk of miscarriage is also higher. As a result, it is more likely that both twins will not survive to term than only one.
Miscarrying one twin is called “vanishing twin syndrome,” and it usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is believed to happen when one of the twins does not develop properly and is reabsorbed by the mother’s body.
Symptoms of vanishing twin syndrome can include abdominal cramps, vaginal bleeding, and a decrease in the mother’s hCG hormone levels. These symptoms are often mild, so the woman may not realize anything is wrong.
Other causes of vanishing twin syndrome can include chromosomal anomalies or a complication with the placenta. If a woman suspects she may have miscarried one of her twins, it is important to consult with a doctor to be sure.
What causes miscarriage of one twin?
Miscarriage of one twin, also known as selective reduction, can occur for a variety of reasons. One possibility is it could be a complication due to genetic factors, such as when one fetus has a chromosome disorder and the other does not.
Another possibility is if the mother’s body is not able to adequately support both babies, due to issues such as a shared placenta, leading to an unequal distribution of nutrients. A third cause can be complications due to the pregnancy itself, such as preterm labor or an incompetent cervix.
Finally, a woman may make an informed decision to reduce one fetus due to increased risk of complications to the mother or the surviving fetus.
Can you miscarry one twin in the first trimester?
Yes, it is possible to miscarry one twin during the first trimester of a twin pregnancy. This is known as “vanishing twin syndrome. ” It occurs when one of the twins is miscarried or reabsorbed in the uterus early in the pregnancy, usually before the 12-week mark.
This can happen very early on, before the woman is even aware that she is pregnant with twins, so it is often not recognized until later in the pregnancy. The symptoms of this can include bleeding, cramps, and decreased fetal movement.
It is not clear why vanishing twin syndrome occurs, but it is thought to happen due to an imbalance in growth or nutrition in the womb. It is important to get medical care after experiencing symptoms such as bleeding or cramping, to ensure the health of the remaining twin.
Do you bleed if you miscarry one twin?
Yes, in most cases, you will bleed if you miscarry one twin. Miscarriage, or the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, is considered common, and unfortunately, it frequently affects multiple pregnancies.
When a woman is pregnant with twins, it is possible to miscarry one twin while the other survives. This type of miscarriage is referred to as a “vanishing twin syndrome” and can happen before the mother even knows she is pregnant with twins.
In such cases, the mother may not experience any bleeding or physical symptoms associated with the loss of one twin.
If the mother is aware of her pregnancy and the presence of two fetuses, she may experience vaginal bleeding and/or cramping following the death of one twin. This bleeding usually occurs 1-2 weeks after the death of the twin and can range from light spotting to heavy bleeding.
If the mother is concerned about the amount of bleeding or other worrisome symptoms, she should contact her physician for further evaluation.
Is it possible to have miscarriage and still be pregnant?
Yes, it is possible to have a miscarriage and still be pregnant. Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of pregnancy, and it affects 10-25 percent of pregnancies. A miscarriage can occur without any signs of bleeding or pain.
Sometimes, a woman may experience signs of a miscarriage but still remain pregnant. In other cases, a miscarriage can occur without any recognizable signs. Therefore, a woman may not be aware that she has had a miscarriage and she may remain pregnant.
Even if a woman experiences what she believes to be a miscarriage, if the pregnancy remains viable, she may continue the pregnancy.