In the News
Superfetation, or getting pregnant while already pregnant, is extremely rare but it can happen. The phenomenon “occurs when an egg is ovulated and fertilized, and the resulting embryo implants during an ongoing pregnancy,” said Sasha Andrews, M.D., a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Obstetrix® of Colorado, part of Pediatrix® Medical Group. While the chances of superfetation happening are practically nonexistent, it’s happening more in modern times. “It’s becoming more common with assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization,” said Dr. Andrews. Diagnosis is difficult, but atypical symptoms can be present. “Some cases of superfetation have resulted in a heterotopic pregnancy, where one embryo implants within the uterus, and the other is an ectopic pregnancy within the fallopian tube," explained Dr. Andrews. "In these cases, symptoms such as abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding can occur.”
View the full story on The Bump