Superfeat Getting pregnant in pregnancy

It is not the most common, but superfeiting exists, although the word sounds strange. It is nothing else than the fertilization of two ovules by two different sperm and a week apart. That is to say, that the woman becomes pregnant while already pregnant. The superfetation is common in animals like s

It is not the most common, but superfeiting exists, although the word sounds strange. It is nothing else than the fertilization of two ovules by two different spermand a week apart. That is to say, that the woman becomes pregnant while already pregnant.

Thesuperfetation is common in animals like sheep, horses or rodents, but in humans there are exceptional cases. The woman will have twins but of different gestational age, since the pregnancies occurred at different times. The most normal thing in these cases is that the brothers take two or three weeks apart.

How superfection occurs in pregnancy

But why does this happen? It is a mistake of reproductive block. When a woman becomes pregnant, the body blocks the ovaries so that more oocytes do not mature (hence the lack of menstruation during pregnancy). But if an error occurs and this order ceases, a new ovule can be released and fertilized again. If the embryo is able to settle in the uterus (already occupied by another embryo), it results in superfetation. It has been proven that in almost all cases of superfeiting, a fertility or assisted reproduction treatment had been initiated.

The gynecologist will realize that a superfetation has occurred when checking the difference in size and gestational age of the embryos. However, pregnancy develops just like any multiple pregnancy. And how will the birth of superfeiting be? Same as any other multiple birth. It can be natural or by cesarean section. The only requirement is that the two babies are born at the same time. Normally, in these cases, labor is usually provoked. The gynecologist chooses the date depending on the maturation of the smallest twin, since he can be born premature if he takes a lot of time with his brother.

Differences between superfeiting and multiple pregnancy

Maybe you're reading this and think, but if that's what happened to me! Surely you had a multiple pregnancy, although the embryos also had different gestational age.

In the superfetion, the fertilized ovules come from different menstrual cycle. In multiple pregnancy are ovules that belong to the same menstrual cycle. In the latter case, superfecundation occurs.