A life-threatening and destructive event that needs to be addressed quickly
Some researchers have suggested this to be the case. One of these conditions is twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Placental insufficiency may also lead to a misdiagnosis of superfetation. This occurs when the placenta doesn’t deliver enough nutrients to both fetuses (twins), leading to differentiations in their respective developments.
This is when one twin gets more nutrients through blood, and therefore develops at a faster rate than the other twin.
These include gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia (protein in the urine).
Diagnosis may prove difficult, especially due to its similarity with other conditions involving twins.
The only evidence would be one fetus being more developed than the other, indicating a different gestational age.
The likelihood of a superfetation pregnancy is extremely low, but it can be prevented by using contraception or abstaining from intercourse during pregnancy.
Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (Healthlline)
See also: Things you cannot do while pregnant
Six months after being impregnated with a couple’s embryo through IVF, a surrogate discovered she was carrying a second embryo.
There are no symptoms specific to superfetation, other than the common ones experienced during a regular pregnancy.
Another case is that of a woman who became pregnant after undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). Doctors discovered that she was already pregnant when she was inseminated. This was, however, an ectopic pregnancy.
A C-section is usually recommended in such cases. This is because both fetuses develop at different rates, and the younger fetus may be born prematurely as a result.
One documented case of superfetation involved a woman who became pregnant with twins through IVF. A third embryo was then discovered. It had been conceived at a different time, without IVF.
What exactly causes superfetation remains unknown. The cases are so rare that scientists don't have enough samples to study it. Most of them, however, involve assistive reproductive technologies.
Women’s bodies have very effective mechanisms that prevent this from happening, so bypassing the body’s natural defenses is indeed a rare event. Let’s take a look at some of the ways the body avoids superfetation.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy will prevent ovulation. Without an egg, there’s no pregnancy.
In most cases, the gestational age difference between the two embryos is between two and four weeks.
Hormone changes not only stop ovulation, but also make it very difficult for an embryo to implant in the uterine lining.
The mucus in the cervix thickens during pregnancy, and this makes it extremely difficult for sperm to reach the uterus, making fertilization nearly impossible.
Superfetation is, however, more common in other species, such as rodents, as well as other small mammals and fish.
First, an egg must be released during an ongoing pregnancy.
Then, the said egg must be fertilized. After, it has to implant into the pregnant woman’s womb.
No. In superfecundation, two or more eggs are released during the same menstrual cycle. Those eggs are then fertilized, but it does not occur in different menstrual cycles.
Superfetation occurs when a pregnant woman gets pregnant for a second time.
With superfetation, a new pregnancy occurs, despite the human body making it nearly impossible to do so.
The embryos will, however, have different gestational ages, with the first one maturing at a different rate than the second.
Superfetation in humans is extremely rare. So much so that there are only about 10 documented cases.
It's a safe assumption that women can't get pregnant again if they're already expecting a child. Except, this is not always the case. The chances are rather remote, but superfetation may occur. This is when a second embryo develops in the womb of an already-pregnant woman. This is different from having twins, and a truly fascinating reproductive phenomenon.
How is this possible? In this gallery, we explain everything. Click on.
No, superfetation pregnancies are not the same as twins, although they share some similarities, such as sharing the same womb and being delivered at the same time.
And unlike twins, embryos from superfetation are not formed during the same menstrual cycle.
In addition to the risk of premature birth, pregnant women experiencing this condition also face higher risks of complications.
For superfetation to occur naturally, a woman would have to go through two menstrual cycles, consecutively, and each cycle would result in a pregnancy. Then, a few other things would have to happen.
Superfetation: can you get pregnant while pregnant?
What we know about this rare event
HEALTH Pregnancy
It's a safe assumption that women can't get pregnant again if they're already expecting a child. Except, this is not always the case. The chances are rather remote, but superfetation may occur. This is when a second embryo develops in the womb of an already-pregnant woman. This is different from having twins, and a truly fascinating reproductive phenomenon.
How is this possible? In this gallery, we explain everything. Click on.