Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) explains this saying: "Divorce is twice" [Surah al-Baqarah: 229]: This is the period in which the woman may be taken back. When he gives one or two divorces, then either he retains her and takes her back in a good manner, or he remains silent about her until her iddah ends, and then the woman has more right over herself. [Hasan]
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الرجعة / 15150