Julia Grovenberg, a resident of Fort Worth, Arkansas, was found to possibly be carrying two, non-twin babies, which are suspected to have been conceived more than two weeks apart. It is possible that the babies were conceived through superfetation, an uncommon condition in which a pregnant woman again ovulates and conceives.
Grovenburg knew that she was already carrying a baby girl, but during an examination, physicians found out that another smaller baby was developing alongside the said baby girl. Doctors believe that the smaller baby is a boy.
Dr M. Muyalert, Grovenburg’s physician, confirmed that her patient is indeed carrying two babies which have a huge disparity in size, and could have possibly been conceived by superfetation.
According to fertility expert Karen Boyle of Greater Baltimore Medical Centre, superfetation happens very rarely, but when it does, the second conception usually occurs at most 24 days later than the first. In many cases, the second baby has lung development problems. However, in Grovenburg’s case, the gap between the first and the second conception may have been short enough to avoid or minimise health concerns.
Dr Jeffrey Kuller, professor of gynaecology and obstetrics in Duke University Medical Centre, is sceptical whether the case is superfetation or not since the condition is so rare that there have only been a “handful” of recorded cases. Hormonal changes due to pregnancy normally stop ovulation from occurring, but it is not impossible.
Grovenburg knew that she was already carrying a baby girl, but during an examination, physicians found out that another smaller baby was developing alongside the said baby girl. Doctors believe that the smaller baby is a boy.
Dr M. Muyalert, Grovenburg’s physician, confirmed that her patient is indeed carrying two babies which have a huge disparity in size, and could have possibly been conceived by superfetation.
According to fertility expert Karen Boyle of Greater Baltimore Medical Centre, superfetation happens very rarely, but when it does, the second conception usually occurs at most 24 days later than the first. In many cases, the second baby has lung development problems. However, in Grovenburg’s case, the gap between the first and the second conception may have been short enough to avoid or minimise health concerns.
Dr Jeffrey Kuller, professor of gynaecology and obstetrics in Duke University Medical Centre, is sceptical whether the case is superfetation or not since the condition is so rare that there have only been a “handful” of recorded cases. Hormonal changes due to pregnancy normally stop ovulation from occurring, but it is not impossible.
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