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Complications with Twins
I am pregnant with twins. The first ultrasound showed two sacs but only one heartbeat. A week later, I was bleeding so I went in for another ultrasound. The doctor said to plan on one baby; the other sac never formed. I went back again for another ultrasound one week later and two heartbeats were found and the doctor was able to measure both babies and they measured a week apart. How is this possible, and why do the ultrasounds keep changing?
AnswerThere are limitations to ultrasounds. I am not sure exactly why they found different things on each ultrasound. There is a thing called "vanishing twin syndrome." This means that the doctor will initially see two sacs and then subsequently only one sac.
It is unusual for two babies to measure a week apart. It is difficult to say what will happen, but I recommend close follow-up by ultrasound.
I wonder if they were unable to see the second baby on the second ultrasound simply because of position. The fact that they saw two heartbeats makes it much less likely that you will lose one of the babies. Generally speaking, once a strong heartbeat has been identified, the chance for miscarriage is less than 2 percent.
The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
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Having the same issue...at 6 weeks ultrasound said im having one baby and in my next ultrasound a week laster they found two fetus measuring 7 wks 6 days and fetus b measuring 6 wks and 4 days..fetus b had no heart beat.. Doctors and Techs are telling me not to worry and now next week i have a appointment with a Perinatologist which i will be 10 weeks...This is to fusterating!!
7/13/2011 10:35:36 AM Report AbuseMy twin girls were not discovered until 30 weeks!! In fact, this was the first ultrasound where we were even able to determine the gender of the one, when the other showed up..I'm almost 32 weeks now and am scrabbling to get things together..I never trust those machines, my oldest son was a girl for 9 months according to ultrasound and came out as a boy much to my suprise. I would think if you can see one baby, you should be able to detect the other right away.
5/3/2010 08:44:24 PM Report AbuseI am very confused and upset. At 6 1/2 weeks we found out that we were having twins. There were two placentas and the babies were both doing well and had strong heartbeats. At 8 1/2 weeks once again the babies were doing well. Yesterday at 10 weeks, they discovered one baby grew and had a strong hearbeat, while the other is measuring 8 weeks and no hearbeat was found. How could this have happened? Could the other baby still be thriving?
12/31/2009 06:59:12 AM Report AbuseAfter reading this, I am definitely confused! Our first ultrasound was at 6 wks when we found we were having fraternal twins. Both measured the same and heartbeats were strong. Today at 10 wks, we had another ultrasound which showed one measuring 10 wks 2 days with a strong heartbeat but the second only measured 8 weeks 3 days and a heartbeat could not be found. I am now curious, is there a chance we may return to find a second heartbeat?
11/2/2009 05:50:30 PM Report AbuseI am in the same situation. My ultrasound was at 6weeks and they only saw one, no heart beat. At 7 weeks they saw 2 with only one heart beat 90 bpm. At 8 weeks they saw 2 heat beats one was 122bpm and measured 6 weeks and the second has 80 bpm and measured 5 weeks. They share the same placents. I don't know what to think. I have another ultrasound next week, it is very scary.
10/30/2009 10:55:53 AM Report Abuse