This article by Andrew Griffin, founder of WombTwin Ireland, describes what a Womb Twin is, the typical tell signs and how to deal with the healing process of such a trauma.

Did you ever see the film Dr Doolittle?   Do you remember the very weird-looking animal in it; the pushmi-pullyu?  This was a lama-like creature that had two heads facing in opposite directions. In other words it’s right-half was a mirror-image of the left.

Now you know what a pushmi-pullyu is, you have some idea of the challenges faced by many Womb Twin Survivors.  Currently, most Womb Twin Survivors don’t know that they are. (There are an estimated 600,000 on our island, alone!) They will typically spend much of their lives going in opposite directions – exhausting and sadly for many of them fatal.  Michael Jackson exhibited the characteristics of a typical Womb Twin Survivor. To get a feel for what it can be like to be one, think of those days when you really want to focus on achieving a particular goal but, at the same time – can’t be bothered to do it.  Or worse still when you take a step forward towards something you want in your life e.g.  A better job (or these days, maybe just a job!); that loving relationship; the firmer, fitter figure etc but then you take a step back in self-sabotage.  Womb Twin Survivors can spend their whole lives living like that!

What is a Womb Twin Survivor?

Someone who lost a twin in the womb or around birth. Physical evidence can include foetus papyeceous, foetus in fetu, the extra large “baby bump” your Mum displayed when she was pregnant with you… then again you may have no physical evidence but just know.

Clues that someone may be a Womb Twin

U2’s Bono shows us an unhealed Womb Twin Survivor’s state of mind with the lyric; “Still haven’t found what I’m looking for”.  In fact, until the light is shone onto their past and they know that they are a Womb Twin Survivor; the person does not know what they are looking for.  Imagine you’re in a pitch-black room that has furniture in it including a plasma TV, glass coffee table, music centre, and DVD rack.  The floor is littered with various items such as a skateboard, basketball, Wii, X-box, a pair of slip on shoes and dinner plate with some cold spaghetti bolognaise on it.  You’re looking for something but you’re not sure what it is, where to look and you have not got a torch to break the blackness:  imagine how much damage you would do and how frustrated you’d get as you tread on things; break the plate, bang your shins on the coffee table.  See what I mean? That’s what life can be like for many Womb Twin Survivors.

• Unhappy for “no” reason
• A sense that life is incomplete – even for people who are enjoying the bright lights of fame, fortune and “success”
• Eating disorders
• Desiring the perfect relationship
• Being highly empathic and sensitive to the needs of others
• Going to many different “change professionals” and still not being able to “solve the problem”
• Sexuality issues
• Suicidal thoughts/tendencies
• Being a great starter (jobs/ relationships*/ projects)
• Being immature despite having lots of candles on the birthday cake
• Feeling incomplete

*A lot of Womb Twin Survivors don’t “do small talk”; instead forming intense relationships quickly and in many cases letting them go quickly.  (This is a reflection of what happened in the womb. I.e.  They had an incredibly intimate non-verbal relationship with their twin only for the relationship to disappear inexplicably when their twin died.)

This is only a sample of clues.  Even if you have the full set (!) it doesn’t mean that you are a Womb Twin.  To get a proper idea further on you can find out about how to get a much better idea.

Help, Healing & Wholeness for Womb Twin Survivors

Yes, a Womb Twin Survivor can heal – however old they are.  The first stage is gaining the awareness of that you are indeed someone who lost a “sibling” at an incredibly early age.  We can help you gain this awareness and then empower you through the other stages of your journey.

WombTwin Ireland was born earlier this year and whilst still developing a formal structure is here to support Womb Twin Survivors on this island.  All support is offered free of charge and we are holding regular meetings for Womb Twin Survivors.  Additionally we can suggest free and paid sources of information and healing.  Please get in touch if you feel you need help and/or would like to get involved with us in supporting other Survivors.

We work closely with WombTwin see below.

WombTwin, the parent organisation was created in 2007 and is based in St. Albans, England.

They have as their main aim providing information, help and support for individuals and families around the world who are directly affected by the loss of a twin before or around birth.

The Founder of Womb Twin, Althea Hayton, discovered in only 2002 that she had a twin that died in her Mother’s womb.  That enabled her to make sense of her own life and to devise a healing path for herself which now forms the basis for the freeing up of many other Womb Twin Survivors. 

If you are or think you are a Womb Twin Survivor, please understand that your own healing process will be right for you.  It may or may not be “weird”.  However it is ok as long as you respect yourself and others in the process.

How do I you heal?

Firstly, you need to know if the term “Womb Twin Survivor” belongs to you.  So complete the free questionnaire.

If it turns out you are then get in touch with us and we can help you through the different stages of your own healing adventure.

Making Contact

Whether your interest is personal, professional or both, Take a look at our blog or contact me direct: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Our monthly meetings are starting in Dublin so go on, get in touch.

At the very least put December 21st into your diary.   We’ll be focussing on our twins then as it is Womb Twin Day. You’re welcome to join us!

This article is dedicated to Althea Hayton for her pioneering work in helping us know that Womb Twin Survivors exist; for giving us a way of healing & for carrying on convincing a still sceptical world that what happens in the womb can determine our fate for our entire life without our knowing it until our own chaotic, dark room is lit up by own “torch of truth.”

© Andrew Griffin, November 18th 2009.