Apr 12, 2021 16:00:00

What is an example of 'superfetation', a phenomenon that is rare in the world when a second child becomes pregnant during pregnancy?

Rebecca Roberts, a 39-year-old woman living in the UK, and her partner have been suffering from infertility for over a year, but one day they were delighted to get a positive pregnancy test at home. However, a long-term ultrasonography performed 5 to 17 weeks later reveals surprising facts.

Woman conceives baby while pregnant --The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/04/08/conceive-baby-while-pregnant/

Dr. David Walker, the obstetrician who was in charge of Mr. Roberts, confirmed that 'there are two babies in Mr. Roberts' belly.' However, Dr. Walker diagnoses this as not a twin, but an 'superfetation ' that results from multiple fertilizations in a short period of time.

Normally, when a woman becomes pregnant, the hormone balance in her body changes and ovulation is suppressed, preventing new fertilization. Therefore, superfetation is a very rare phenomenon, and a survey conducted in 2008 pointed out that 'less than 10 cases in the world'. Dr. Walker has never seen it, and says, 'It took several tests to make a confident diagnosis.'

In the case of Roberts, ovulation occurred 3-4 weeks after the first pregnancy, and it is believed that he miraculously fertilized and implanted. The second baby was much smaller than the first and was not even found by the initial examination. Dr. Walker was worried about the progression of pregnancy, as superfetation often kills one child, but the two babies were growing well.

However, after 33 weeks of gestation, it turns out that the second umbilical cord is not functioning properly and is beginning to affect the baby's growth. And the two were born on the same day, September 17, 2020, by Caesarean section. The first baby, Noah, weighed about 2.1 kg, and the second baby, Rosalie, weighed about 1.1 kg.

Roberts and his partner met the newborn baby, but because of their premature birth, they were taken to the

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) . After that, Noah will be hospitalized for about 3 weeks, and for Rosalie for 95 days, but Roberts and others went to the hospital every day and were finally able to take Rosalie home just before Christmas.

About life with babies, Roberts said, 'The two babies definitely feel age differences despite the same birthday, but despite their developmental differences, they are bound by an unmistakable bond. Watching the baby grow up makes me feel full. ' Roberts and his colleagues publish their lives with babies on their Instagram.