Understanding a Missed Twin Abortion at 23 Weeks: Causes, Symptoms, and Next Steps

Question

What does it mean if my scan at 23 weeks shows that I am actually only 17 weeks pregnant and there is evidence of a missed twin abortion?

Answer 1

I'm so sorry you're going through that confusion, it's a lot to process. In the early weeks they sometimes see two gestational sacs and one stops developing very early on – it's often called a "vanishing twin." When that happens your body can absorb the little sac, and the other baby usually keeps growing just fine. It can also throw off the dates if your cycles were irregular or the early measurements weren't clear. I had a close friend who was told she was 12 weeks along, then a later scan put her back to 9 weeks and one sac had disappeared. She carried her surviving little one to term and he is a healthy kid now. Try to be gentle with yourself and jot down any questions for your provider so you feel more at ease at your next appointment.