Hypothesis: a proposition, or set of propositions, set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena, either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide investigation (working hypothesis) or accepted as highly probable in the light of established facts.
The wombtwin hypothesis
1. Being a wombtwin survivor does have a psychological effect.
Wombtwin survivors (ie the sole survivors of a twin or multiple pregnancy) seem to spend their lives re-enacting the life and death of their wombtwin. Nothing appears to be more important than that, even life itself. Once the real pre-birth scene, which is being constantly re-enacted, is made clear, then the re-enactment tends to diminish or cease altogether, greatly to the benefit of the individual.
2. There are at least 600 million wombtwin survivors in the world
Statistical analysis of various studies of twin pregnancies reveals that for every twin pair born there are at least ten single babies born who are the sole survivors of a twin pr multiple pregnancy.
For every live born twin pair, 10-12 pregnancies result in single births. Using these estimates 12-15% of all live births are products of twin embryogenesis. Charles Bocklage
Reference; Boklage, C.E. (1995) The frequency and survival probability of natural twin conceptions. In Keith, L.G., Papiernik, E., Keith, D.M. (eds) Multiple pregnancy: epidemiology, gestation, and perinatal outcome. Parthenon, New York, pp. 4150
3. For some wombtwin survivors there is evidence that there was a twin or multiple pregnancy, but only one baby was born.
We have known about wombtwins for a very long time but it is only recently that we have been able to take pictures of them with ultrasound. Now we know that many of them developed abnormally and that is why they died. It has been known for a long time that being a surviving twin does not have to be life-threatening for the physical health of the survivor. reference
4.The possibility of fetal consciousness and memory is now taken seriously. reference
Until recently no one has troubled to consider the psychological effects of being a surviving twin when the twin has died at birth or before. This is because nobody imagined that embryos could be aware of anything much. In fact fifty years ago new-born babies were considered as unable to pick up information.
5. We are now close to creating a psychological profile of the wombtwin survivor.
My own research, carried out on this site, has produced the following result. These are the attitude statements most likely to be strongly affirmed as true by the respondent, and expressed as a percentage of the total number of respondents:
- Deep down, I feel alone, even when I am among friends (70%)
- I have been searching for something all my life but I don’t know what it is (64%)
- I fear abandonment or rejection (62%)
- I know I am not realising my true potential (62%)
- All my life I have felt in some way "incomplete” (61%)
6. Some wombtwin survivors have no evdence of their lost twin or multiples but are convinced that they are a surviving twin.
The psychological profile of the wombtwin survivors with no evidence of their twin is very similar to those with proof. (Statistics and graph image for this comparison is in preparation)
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