Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Olajumoke Ogunro said pregnant women should be aware of the rare possibility that they could still get pregnant while pregnant.
According to the expert, although the phenomenon known as superfetation is rare, science has discovered the possibility.
Superfetation is the formation of a second fetus while another fetus is already in the womb.
In an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, Dr. Ogunro, who works at Alpha Assisted Reproductive Clinic, Ikoyi, Lagos, says that while superfetation is possible, it is extremely rare in humans.
She says,
This is very rare in humans. In fact, fewer than 10 cases were recorded in the entire medical literature. It is more common in certain animals like rats, fish, kangaroos.
He said the condition occurs when a woman ovulates in two different cycles, releasing two different eggs. According to him, the egg is fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
Dr Ogunro added:
“Basically, what happens is that the woman ovulates, she releases her egg, and then that egg is fertilized and implants in the uterus, so pregnancy occurs, and then, in another cycle, she ovulates again, releases the egg, they fertilize and Implantation occurs some time later.
This is very rare, because nature works in such a way that after one pregnancy a woman rarely gets pregnant again.
This is because pregnancy hormones act as a barrier to prevent further pregnancy and also the uterine lining undergoes changes that make a second pregnancy nearly impossible, but this rare condition can occur.
According to experts, with superfetation, both babies can survive, even though one is bigger than the other.
He also explains the difference between twins and superfetation, saying:
“Twins can occur at the same time in the same menstrual cycle, but in superfetation it is at different times, one being older than the other.
What happens is if one is older than the other, the younger one can be born prematurely. The younger ones have all the challenges of prematurity, challenges like being born prematurely.
It differs from twins in that in twins fertilization occurs at the same time, but superfetation involves two eggs being released and being fertilized at different times in two different menstrual cycles.
Ogunro stressed that this condition is very rare in men, so women need not worry or worry.
According to a 2017 study first published in the Journal of Reproduction & Sexual Health,
“Human superfetation is a very rare situation where a woman, despite being pregnant, becomes pregnant a second time with another, younger fetus.
It is said to be common in several animal species but extremely rare in humans, with less than 10 cases reported in the medical literature.
Superfetation differs from the process of multiple or multiple pregnancies and involves the conception of an additional fetus during established pregnancy. In superfetation, the two fetuses have different gestational ages and delivery dates.
The research explains that;
“Once fertilization occurs in a normal pregnancy, hormones are released which stop further ovulation. The uterine lining thickens to prevent attachment of a second embryo.
Finally, the cervix forms a barrier known as mucus plus, which is designed to protect the developing fetus from microbial infections and serves as an effective barrier for sperm.
A study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Delta State University in Abraka, Nigeria stated that superfetation is very unlikely because; “Three near-impossible things have to happen for it to happen; Ovulation must occur when a woman is already pregnant, sperm must somehow pass through the mucus plug, and implantation must occur in an unprepared uterus.
“The probability of all three occurring is unequivocally very small, as reflected by reports of human superfetation which are extremely rare in the medical literature.
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