Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
The Loss of One Twin Early in Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I am seven weeks pregnant. I just had my first visit with my O.B. and found out that I am pregnant with twins. However, one has a heartbeat and one doesn’t. I have experienced some spotting from the baby that stopped growing. The doctor told me there is a possibility that one could try to miscarry and could cause the other to abort also. He has only seen one case were the healthy fetus continued to grow over the one that had stopped growing. I have not had any cramping but am having a brownish discharge daily. I am on bed rest until this stops. Do you have any experience with this? I am really worried and have had constant nausea for about two weeks. Thanks for your help.— Stressed in Texas | | | ANSWER |
August 17, 2001 | | | Dear Stressed,
With the routine use of early ultrasound, we find out all sorts of things that we weren't aware of in years past. A decade ago, you might not have had an ultrasound and wouldn't have known about the loss of one twin. Sometimes it seems that we almost know too much now--it gives you so much more to worry about!
The experience that I have with this problem comes from taking care of women who have been on fertility drugs--they have such a high chance of multiples that they often start off with a twin pregnancy that goes down to a singleton by the middle of the first trimester. They, too, get routine early ultrasound that gives what in my opinion can be "too much information." Most of the time, the early loss of a twin like this does not cause a problem, and the pregnancy proceeds normally. That said, the anxiety can be severe, and many women grieve over the loss.
The nausea that you are having is probably a good sign. Research has shown that women with pregnancy symptoms are less likely to miscarry. While no one can guarantee that everything will go well, at this point the most likely outcome for you is the birth of a healthy baby at term. Good luck!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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