EARTh Annual Convention 2010

Sueli Simoes (Portugal)

"The Womb Twin Survivor - Vanishing Twin Syndrome"

Title: "The Womb Twin Survivor - Vanishing Twin Syndrome"

By Sueli Simoes

Description:

Vanishing twin syndrome is the identification of a multifetal gestation with subsequent disappearance of one or more fetuses. Vanishing twin syndrome has been diagnosed more frequently since the use of ultrasonography in early pregnancy. In vitro fertilization techniques have improved the understanding of vanishing twin syndrome because these pregnancies are closely monitored, and the number of implanted fertilized eggs is known. Research from an European series of pregnancies associated with assisted reproductive technology show that 10-15% of singleton births were initially twin gestations.

In vanishing twin syndrome, there may be complete reabsorption of a fetus, formation of a fetus papyraceus (ie, a "mummified" or compressed fetus), or development of a subtle abnormality on the placenta such as a cyst, subchorionic fibrin, or amorphous material.

When we work with RT we will for sure find this theme in our practice, in this presentation we will discuss about the womb twin survivor and the complex that may exist connected with the traumatic experience of loss in the womb.

There is an increasing interest on this theme, an association was found in UK, Womb Twin Survivors -http://www.wombtwin.com, they say that "the main problem with being a womb twin survivor is a sense of loneliness and isolation."

We know as RT that this is not  only the case,  because memories from the twin (or twins) can stay attached to the survivor in different levels and we will discuss how to understand and release these memories. I will present two cases and if we have a subject do a demonstration.