How is Vanishing Twin Syndrome diagnosed?
Before the use of ultrasound, the diagnosis of the death one of babies in a multiple pregnancy was made through an examination of the placenta after delivery. Today, with the availability of early ultrasounds, the discovery of twins or multiple fetuses can be detected early during the first trimester. A later follow-up ultrasound may reveal the disappearance of a twin that had shown up earlier on the scan. For example, a woman may have an early ultrasound at six or seven weeks of pregnancy. The doctor identifies two fetuses on the screen, and the woman is then told she is having twins. When the mother comes back for her next visit, only one heartbeat can be heard with Doppler. A second ultrasound is conducted and only one baby is seen this time. Emotionally this can be very hard on the mother, due to knowing previously that there was another baby. She may have just adjusted to planning for twins, and now must adjust to losing one. Sometimes a woman may have symptoms that would indicate
