Vanishing twin syndrome: what is it, causes, symptoms and treatment

The conception of a human being is a process that can develop differently in each case, since each person has characteristics that make them unique and unrepeatable. For this reason, the controls carried out during pregnancy are essential to assess the conditions in which the fetus is developing.

Likewise, although this is a period that normally awakens happiness in many couples, it can also become a sad and frustrating stage in certain situations. An example of this would be the cases of gestation of twin children subject to obstacles that complicate the pregnancy, such as the death of one of the twins in the womb. In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about the vanishing twin syndrome: what is it, causes, symptoms and treatment.

Index

1. What is vanishing twin syndrome
2. Causes of vanishing twin syndrome
3. Symptoms of Vanishing Twin Syndrome
4. Consequences of the vanishing twin syndrome
5. Treatment of vanishing twin syndrome

The vanishing twin syndrome consists of the loss of one of the embryos during pregnancy, while the other continues to develop to be born. This process is produced in the uterus as a consequence of a spontaneous abortion when the placenta absorbs the embryo.

One of the most important aspects to take into account when we talk about the vanishing twin syndrome is to find the origins of this problem. Likewise, it should be noted that this syndrome does not occur voluntarily, but rather responds to other specific factors. Next, we will talk about them:

Genetic factors

At a general level, the absence of the hormone called chorionic gonadotropin can affect these kinds of situations. This hormone stimulates the production of eggs and other sex hormones and is responsible for maintaining pregnancies in fertile women.

Other aspects like abnormalities in the placenta or in certain chromosomes they can also be some of the vanishing twin syndrome.

Psychological factors

Although this is not fully proven, unconscious desires to have only one child can arise during pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriage of one of the babies. On the other hand, the mother's upbringing and its traumatic experiences can also be linked to this problem.

There are some physiological, emotional and behavioral manifestations in the vanishing twin syndrome. Detecting these symptoms can help when establishing strategies to treat this problem. On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that there may be women who do not present symptoms that indicate the presence of the vanishing twin syndrome.

Below we will explain the most relevant symptoms of the vanishing twin syndrome:

• Colic.
• bleeding.
• Contractions.
• Bag break.
• Fever.
• abdominal pain
• unexpected pain.
• feeling of weakness
• Distress.
• Apathy.
• Sadness.

However, it should be noted that the isolated presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily indicate that you suffer from the vanishing twin syndrome. For this reason, it is essential that the diagnosis be carried out by a health professional specialized in the area who evaluates the clinical characteristics of each person.

The appearance of the vanishing twin syndrome has effects that can affect pregnant women and many of them are marked after these episodes. In this section we show you some consequences of the vanishing twin syndrome:

• If it occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, there is a good chance that there will be no adverse effect on the other baby.
• If there is heart failure in one of the fetuses, a decrease in blood pressure.
• The fetus that has survived can send blood to the one that has died through the placenta.
• The absence of oxygen can cause injury to body tissues and organs.

Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment that can prevent the vanishing twin syndrome, since, as we have mentioned above, the causes of the vanishing twin syndrome respond to organic factors linked to the genetics.

However, it is possible establish psychological support that allows coping with this type of situation in a more pleasant way from specific tools for each person. Contact with health professionals from the fields of medicine and psychology will make it possible to approach this period with greater strength. Given this, it is important to carry out medical studies that allow detecting important anomalies. The two treatments to consider are:

psychological therapy

Therapy is a space that invites personal reflectionnear situations that produce anguish, discomfort or uncertainty. In this type of case, and given the seriousness of the matter, emotional support is essential to help get over the loss.

medical evaluation

This branch of medicine studies the characteristics of the pregnant woman's body and allows to find out if she suffers from the vanishing twin syndrome from the observation of the fetuses. Similarly, other factors such as age of the woman, previous pregnancies, pre-existing diseases and family history may also be linked in the vanishing twin syndrome.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Vanishing twin syndrome: what is it, causes, symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of neuropsychology.

• Apaza Jaime, A.L., Toro Torres, J.L. (2017). Vanishing twin syndrome. International Journal on Maternal Fetal Health - I Obstetrician, 1 (1), 19-20.
• Vázquez Estela, D.E., Lanegra Maturrano, F.H. (2013). Evanescent fetus, compressed fetus, papyraceous fetus. Interscience Magazine, 4 (3), 121-125.