Bleeding and spotting with twins- Concerned about Vanishing Twins

[Dark_Star]

My ultrasound confirmed di/di twins at 5w4d, they were both measuring 6w1d with heartbeats of 109 andf 131. There was also a 3rd sac or other structure that appeared empty and was much smaller. I did also have 2 areas of SCH, each about 5mmx5mm.

Since then I have had 3 weeks of brown spotting, a few stringy brown clots, and some red blood. My HCG is still high, and hospital policy is not to scan for suspected miscarriage unless HCG is low. I am in an area where the closest private scan is about 5 hours away, so I am left waiting until April 1 for my next scan.

Has anyone here dealt with vanishing multiples or bleeding in a twin pregnancy? What were your symptoms and outcome? I am very worried about it, I almost wish I had not had an early ultrasound since seeing only one healthy baby will devestate me and I feel guilty for that.

I had a MMC in June where the baby's demise was at 6 weeks, and it was not discovered until 12 weeks. I am still scarred from that and it is really affecting my mental state. Also I have gone off the Prozac I take for anxiety and depression and this is taking its toll on me too. I've got very little in the way of symptoms, just tiredness and sore boobs.

 

[Meezerowner]

Hey. Firstly congrats on your twins

I know it's really scary having bleeding but it is common in twin pregnancy and a lot of people on here have had it and gone on to have a healthy pregnancy.

I had a SCH and spotting, AF-type-bleeding, black clots, cramping and the works between weeks 7 and 10. It was also directly after an awful MC which was fresh in my mind so I know how stressful it is.
If they saw a SCH then that is probably the source of the blood working its way out. It may totally resolve by your next scan.

It's hard being told you have twins before the 12 week scan as there is always the worry of MC or VTS but I think once you have seen heartbeats the chances are really slim.

Is there an early pregnancy assessment clinic you can go to instead of the hospital for reassurance?

Drink plenty of fluids (hydration helps if you have cramping from the bleed and is generally good for you all round!) and try and relax. The time will fly by

Hope everything goes well at the next scan.

 

[Dark_Star]

Unfortunately to get a scan I would need to drive 5+ hours down an icy and snowy single lane road by myself. I am in a very remote area in northern Canada, and the hospital will only do an emergency scan if my HCG levels drop dramatically below what is normal for a singleton pregnancy. It's upsetting to me that everyone else in the world seems to be able to get a scan whenever they want one.

Thank you for your kind words and experiences, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I will know for sure on April 1.

 

[Meezerowner]

Well you are probably better off waiting it out then rather than risking such a long trek.

If it's any consolation (it wont be!) I had loads of scans in 1st tri because of the bleeding but it didnt help my anxiety levels. I was literally only happy during the scan.... by the time I got to the carpark I was freaked out that something had happened again and then had the longest wait until the next scan.

I forgot to say that I took it quite easy and didnt do too much activity cos it made me feel like I was doing something to help the situation. But if you do a lot of sitting/ reclining.... the bleed will get more clotty
But I still recommend taking it easy.

 

[Dark_Star]

Exactly, seeing live babies today wouldn't necessarily console me if I saw blood tomorrow. It might even give me more things to agonize about if one twin was smaller or had a lower heartrate, or if the SCH had grown.

I try to tell myself that babies are safe in the perfect vessel, and doctors cannot do anything to improve my outcome that my body is not already doing. I am on progesterone and lucky to be receiving unemployment benefits right now so I can take it easy.

Its just hard, especially knowing that if I do lose one and keep the other I will be dealing with complicated emotions that will get in the way of my happiness.

 

[Meezerowner]

I try to tell myself that babies are safe in the perfect vessel, and doctors cannot do anything to improve my outcome that my body is not already doing.

Defo this /\ good mantra to have.

Eat well, drink loads, relax as much as poss and don't google VTS

I know what you mean about VTS. Once you have been told there are 2 you begin to love and expect 2. Early scans are tough really, as in years gone by people would never have known there were twins originally. Technology is sometimes a burden as well as a blessing.

If the worst does happen then you can legitimately grieve for a loss even if you do have a healthy singleton. Ignore anyone that says you should be grateful for one. I had someone say this to me.... "oh well at least if one goes you will still be pregnant"..... Emotions dont work like that.

 

[xxshellsxx]

I know it's hard, the first tri is tough going with anxiety! I had spotting and cramping before i knew it was twins at 6 and 7 weeks, nobody would scan me as they said there would be nothing they could do if i was having a mc - the wait to my scan at 9 weeks was horrible! I was just praying for a heartbeat when i got there... to find two was amazing! They said the fact it was twins explained the spotting and cramping i was having. I'm betting the bleeding you're having is from the SCH, rest up as much as you can and definitely take it easy x

 

[Dark_Star]

My doctor called. My HCG has dropped by about 100,000 in 2 weeks, but is still in the normal range for twin pregnancies. I am booked for an emergency scan tomorrow.

My first scan showed 3 gestational sacs, 2 with beating hearts. So tomorrow I will see somewhere between 0 and 3 living fetuses.

 

[Meezerowner]

My doctor called. My HCG has dropped by about 100,000 in 2 weeks, but is still in the normal range for twin pregnancies. I am booked for an emergency scan tomorrow.

My first scan showed 3 gestational sacs, 2 with beating hearts. So tomorrow I will see somewhere between 0 and 3 living fetuses.

Glad they are following it up for you. I hope you can get some answers and a happy outcome tomorrow.

Maybe it was so high because it was originally a triplet pregnancy and then dropped? I'm not sure how it works with multiples and HCG levels... but at least it is still within the normal range for twins.

Got my fingers crossed for you.

 

[Dark_Star]

I forgot to update here- I had a scan this morning, all is well. My chubby little gummy bears are 9w3d and 9w4d, both have a heartrate of 174. Still bleeding but it seems to not be interfering with the babies.

 

[Meezerowner]

Yay congrats! That's good news.

Hopefully you can relax a little now.