She experienced the exceedingly uncommon phenomenon known as superfetation. Rebecca Roberts was 12 weeks expectant and undergoing her third ultrasound when the ultrasound technician abruptly becomes silent."I believed something terrible had occurred, but it was something extraordinary.
" Roberts, 39 saidRoberts had become pregnant while she was already pregnant. Their babies were conceived three weeks apart. It’s a phenomenon called superfetation, and it’s extremely rare. According to Dr. Lisa Thiel, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Spectrum Health in Michigan, there are only a few confirmed cases.
Superfetation is the implantation of a second pregnancy a few days or weeks after the initial pregnancy. Fertilization of a new egg by a new sperm is uncommon because hormones are released by the woman's body to prevent further ovulation and a viscous secretion is produced at the cervix to prevent additional sperm from entering the uterus at that time. Superfetation has primarily been observed in IVF-treated women.
"When one fetus is conceived using in vitro fertilization and a month later a second fetus appears, physicians know that the embryo appeared following a natural cycle.
"Confirming a spontaneous pregnancy is somewhat more difficult. But it is possible." Roman elaborated
Roberts recalled her own surprise upon discovering she was expecting not one, but two children. Had an earlier examination somehow overlooked a second heartbeat? She was unable to believe it. She was so trembling that she had to be led down the hallway.
She spoke about her pregnancies.
" It was genuine, truly genuine. Nothing was any longer pleasant! Sleeping, standing, and sitting were all excruciatingly painful. Even eating, one of my favorite things in life, hurts so much afterward; being on all fours provides some respite, but you can only stay in that position for so long. Must get back on your feet. Itchy epidermis is a common occurrence. I could only find relief by applying moisturizing cream and allowing air to reach my midriff. On September 17, 2020, at 33 weeks and six days gestation, she underwent a cesarean section and my two adorable children were delivered. Twin 1: a boy named Noah weighing 4 pounds and 10 ounces. Rosalie, the second twin, weighed 2 pounds and 7 ounces and was a female.
Rosalie was significantly smaller than Noah, not only because she was 3 weeks younger than him, but also because her umbilical cord ceased functioning effectively and she grew very little in the month prior to their birth. She appeared exceptionally preterm and spent the first two weeks of her life in a special infant hospital due to some complications. Due to the rarity of Rosalie being younger than Noah, they must rule out other potential causes for her consistent three-week growth delay. They conducted genetic testing. Rosalie was devoid of any abnormalities, so that clarifies the situation. The twin specialist remains convinced that she was conceived later and that these children are, indeed, marvels. When Noah was three weeks old, he was discharged from the NICU. Rosalie spent 95 days in the NICU and returned home a few days before Christmas.
Since the age of six months, siblings have been inseparable. "They have such a unique relationship. Not only do they lie together, but they also hold hands. Roberts said they will reach out and stroke each other's features.
Now nearly 2 years old, they are the brother and sister of George, who is more than 8 months old.
