Sole survivor?
A "vanishing twin" pregnancy |
At the Third International Congress on Twin Studies, held in Jerusalem in 1980, this phenomenon was discussed and the term “vanishing twins” was coined to describe it. A “vanishing twin” pregnancy quickly became the accepted medical term to describe a particular situation - that is, when a pregnant woman is scanned by ultrasound, two sacs are seen at the first scan but one sac has “vanished” from view by the next scan and in the end only one baby is born. The truth is that these babies do not "vanish" - they die. The sole survivor knows this. Read more about this on Althea's blog |
A dermoid cyst, teratoma or fetus in fetu |
One of the most controversial aspects of the research that Althea Hayton has been doing for the last ten years is the issue of the enclosed twin. This can be a dermoid cyst, a teratoma or a fetus in fetu. There is little doubt about the fetus in fetu, because it can be clearly seen that the body of a twin is trying to develop, and the teratoma doesn't seem to be too difficult to accept as a partially developed twin either. It's the dermoid cyst that is causing the trouble. I have very few medical references to quote on this subject. But people keep sending their stories....... Read more about this on Althea's blog |
The death of a twin in pregnancy |
"I found out an early age that I had a twin when my mother was pregnant with me. She lost the twin around three months into her pregnancy. My entire life has been a hang-up on finding my soulmate. I feel my life won't even start until I find this person. However, I never do and I always have a sense of incompleteness about my life. I always feel as if I'm waiting for something to happen, and it never does. I very much feel like something is missing....." Read stories by womb twin survivors on this site |
A stillborn twin |
The loss of one twin at birth is devastating for the parents. Furthermore, twin pregnancies are increasingly the result of lengthy, laborious and costly fertility treatments. Earlier on in the pregnancy, there is still a sense of loss. Many parents discover early on that they are expecting twins or more. They get to know each baby very well. After birth, because of the realities of caring for one or more survivors, parents are typically unable to grieve properly. In the case of MZ (identical) twins, the memory of the lost twin is kept alive in the person of the survivor. Read more on Althea's blog |
Neonatal death of one twin |
"My twin died just after birth and I was always searching for something as a small child. I didn't know until I got older that I probably was looking for him. I think my life would have been more joyful, and I believe I would have been a different person had he been in it. I've always missed him, especially on our birthday. Losing a twin is like losing a part of me, and I've always thought, the best part of me." Read more stories by womb twin survivors on this site |
