Actor Mahhi Vij recently opened up about a deeply personal experience from her pregnancy journey, one that many women silently endure. Speaking candidly in an interview with Hauterrfly, she revealed that she had been pregnant with twins but lost one of the babies during the early stages.
“Two eggs were implanted, and they were in two separate sacs. Tara’s (her daughter) sack was doing well, and the other one was doing well too. The sack was growing, the water was jitna hona chahiye sab ho raha tha (everything was happening just the way it should), but the baby was not growing. So, then the doctor told me to pray that the baby would come out on its own. Because kya hota hai normally ki vo doosre ko bhi leke nikal jaata hai. Toh, ya toh woh khud nikal jata hai… apna raasta khud (What normally happens is that it takes the other one along too. So, either it leaves on its own… finds its own way out).”
She continued, “So, one day I went to the washroom and I saw blood, and I panicked and I called the doctor. I was like, ‘Yeh kya ho gaya (What has happened), I just got happiness and I got pregnant but now I am seeing blood stains. I rushed to the doctor and she explained that it’s good this happened because if it had stayed, toh ya toh phir toh aapko yeh hota ki khushi bhi mili ya khushi bhi nahi mili. Yaa toh phir yeh hota ki isko bhi leke nikal leta (then either you would’ve experienced joy, or maybe not even that. Or it could have happened that it would have taken this one along too),” Mahhi shared.
So, what is vanishing twin syndrome, and how common is it during early pregnancies involving multiple embryos?
Dr Shaily Sharma, consultant gynaecologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Faridabad, tells indianexpress.com, “Vanishing twin syndrome is a condition that occurs in pregnancies where more than one embryo is initially detected, typically via early ultrasound, but one embryo fails to develop or dies in the uterus. The fetal tissue is then absorbed by the mother’s body, the placenta, or the surviving twin. This usually happens during the first trimester. It is more common than many people realise. Studies suggest that vanishing twin syndrome occurs in up to 30% of twin or multiple pregnancies, especially with the increasing use of early ultrasounds and fertility treatments that raise the likelihood of multiple embryos.”
Even when one baby continues to grow healthily, how does the loss of a twin affect a mother physically and emotionally?
Physically, the loss of a twin early in pregnancy may cause mild symptoms such as spotting or mild cramping. However, in many cases, especially if it happens very early, the mother may not notice any symptoms at all.
Dr Sharma says, “Emotionally, the experience can be complex. While the ongoing pregnancy brings hope and joy, the simultaneous loss of another baby can cause grief, confusion, or guilt. Healthcare providers and families need to acknowledge these mixed feelings and offer emotional validation and support.”
Dangers that the healthy baby may face when the other embryo is not growing
In most cases where the vanishing occurs in the first trimester, Dr Sharma notes, the remaining fetus is not affected and continues to develop normally. However, if the loss occurs later in pregnancy, there may be risks, including preterm labour, low birth weight, or complications related to shared placental circulation. “This is more often a concern in monochorionic twins (sharing one placenta) than in dichorionic ones (separate placentas).”
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What kind of support should be made available to mothers who experience such a loss during pregnancy?
Healthcare providers should clearly explain the condition, reassure the mother about the safety of the surviving baby, and offer regular follow-ups. “At the same time, emotional counselling, grief support, or access to a mental health professional can help mothers process their loss,” explains Dr Sharma.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.