Mahhi Vij Shares Heartbreaking Experience with Vanishing Twin Syndrome

Television actress Mahhi Vij, known for her roles in popular Hindi shows and her open conversations about parenting, recently shared a deeply personal and emotional experience from her pregnancy journey — one that involved carrying twins but losing one during gestation. In a candid revelation, Mahhi spoke about suffering what is medically known as Vanishing Twin Syndrome, a condition that many expectant mothers are unaware of until they experience it firsthand.

Her story sheds light on an often-unspoken aspect of pregnancy loss, and highlights the emotional trauma parents go through when joy is intertwined with grief. A gynaecologist also weighs in on the medical aspects of the condition, helping demystify what Vanishing Twin Syndrome is, why it happens, and how it affects pregnancies both physically and emotionally.

Mahhi Vij’s Personal Story: A Pregnancy with Mixed Emotions

In a recent interview, Mahhi recalled the exact moment she knew something was wrong. She was pregnant, happy, and hopeful. Then one day, she noticed something alarming.

“I remember calling my doctor and saying, ‘Now I am seeing blood stains.’ I was panicked. I didn’t know what it meant, and I feared the worst,” she said.

Mahhi and her husband, actor Jay Bhanushali, were expecting twins. The couple had been elated upon receiving the news of a twin pregnancy, and were looking forward to welcoming two new lives into their family. However, during one of her early scans, doctors noticed that one of the embryos had stopped developing.

“They told me I had lost one of the babies. I didn’t even know that could happen. You prepare for two, dream of two, and suddenly it’s one. And you don’t even get time to grieve because you’re still carrying the other baby and have to stay strong,” Mahhi shared, fighting back tears.

What Is Vanishing Twin Syndrome?

Vanishing Twin Syndrome occurs when a twin or multiple embryo disappears in the uterus during pregnancy as a result of a miscarriage of one of the fetuses. The tissue from the deceased embryo is typically absorbed by the mother’s body or the surviving twin, hence the term "vanishing."

Dr. Renu Sharma, a Mumbai-based obstetrician and gynaecologist, explains:
“It usually occurs in the first trimester, often before the 12th week. In many cases, women are not even aware they were carrying twins because the vanishing twin disappears before the first ultrasound.”

The condition is more common than people think. With the increasing use of early ultrasound scans, vanishing twins are now detected more frequently. Studies suggest that one in eight pregnancies that begin with twins ends up with a single baby, often without any external symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

Some women, like Mahhi, notice symptoms such as:

• Light bleeding or spotting

• Mild abdominal pain

• A sudden drop in pregnancy hormone (hCG) levels

However, in many cases, there are no symptoms at all. The loss is only discovered during routine scans when the second heartbeat that was once visible has vanished.

Dr. Sharma adds:
“Emotionally, it can be devastating. Physically, if the remaining pregnancy is healthy, the outcome is usually positive. But it’s important for women to be monitored closely and receive emotional support.”

The Emotional Toll

Mahhi’s story highlights an often-ignored aspect of pregnancy — the mental health impact of partial loss. You're still pregnant, yet you've lost a child. The duality is hard to reconcile.

“It’s a strange grief. I couldn’t even tell many people. If I had lost both babies, people would understand the grief. But when you lose one, they say, ‘At least you still have one.’ But the pain of the other doesn’t go away,” Mahhi confessed.

The societal tendency to minimize such losses can make healing more difficult. Many women suffer in silence, fearing that their grief will be misunderstood or dismissed.

What Causes Vanishing Twin Syndrome?

Doctors believe that in most cases, Vanishing Twin Syndrome is due to chromosomal or genetic abnormalities in the lost fetus. The embryo may fail to develop normally, and the body naturally absorbs it.

Other contributing factors include:

• Poor placental implantation

• Maternal health conditions

• Multiple embryo transfers during IVF (in vitro fertilization)

While the condition isn’t preventable, early detection and medical guidance can help manage the emotional and physical aftermath.

Coping and Support

Psychologists advise that women going through Vanishing Twin Syndrome should be offered the same emotional support and validation as those who experience miscarriage.

“It’s a form of grief. The woman may feel fear for the surviving baby, guilt for not carrying both to term, and confusion about how to celebrate one life while mourning another,” says Dr. Meera Deshpande, a perinatal psychologist.

Support can include:

• Counseling or therapy

• Journaling and emotional expression

• Joining support groups for pregnancy loss

• Speaking openly, like Mahhi did, to reduce stigma

Positive Outcome and Looking Forward

Despite the loss, Mahhi eventually carried her surviving baby to term — her daughter, Tara, who is now a healthy, energetic child. Tara is often seen on Mahhi and Jay’s social media platforms, bringing joy to their followers.

“She’s my blessing. She came into my arms, and she healed so much of my pain. But I still think of the one I lost. That child existed, even if briefly. That will never leave me,” Mahhi said.

Her story is not only one of grief but also of resilience and love. By speaking out, Mahhi hopes to encourage more women to talk about the less discussed aspects of pregnancy and loss.

Breaking the Silence

Mahhi Vij’s bravery in speaking out about her miscarriage due to Vanishing Twin Syndrome has opened the door for awareness, conversation, and empathy.

Women often feel pressured to keep pregnancy losses private. But voices like hers help destigmatize the silent grief so many endure.

As Mahhi concluded in her interview:
“You don’t forget, but you learn to live with it. And if my story helps one mother feel less alone, then sharing it was worth it.”

Final Thoughts

Vanishing Twin Syndrome, while medically common, is emotionally complex. Mahhi Vij’s experience shows that even in joy, there can be sorrow, and both emotions deserve space.

For many women, pregnancy isn’t a single journey—it’s a winding road of hope, fear, loss, and strength. Understanding that helps not just expectant mothers, but society as a whole, to be more compassionate and supportive.