Dr. Jane Frederick Discusses Superfetation Pregnancy
There’s no such thing as a double pregnancy, right?
Dr. Jane Frederick was recently quoted in an article written by Kanishka Nangare for Today’s Parent Magazine titled “Can You Get Pregnant While Pregnant?“.
It is possible to get pregnant while pregnant; it’s called a ‘superfetation pregnancy.’ Women have experienced it, but it’s so rare that couples who go through it either make the news or carve their place in medical journals or both.
“In theory, you can become pregnant while pregnant. It could explain why twins aren’t developing along the same growth pattern. A woman would need to have intercourse within the short window of ovulation, which usually happens within three days.”, claims Jane Frederick, MD, FACOG, HRC Fertility, an affiliate of Keck School of Medicine of USC.
A superfetation pregnancy occurs when another egg is fertilized and implanted in the uterus that is already growing a pregnancy. If this sounds unusual, you’re right; it is.
Dr. Frederick goes on to discuss the rarity of this happening in humans as well as why it is so rare in humans. She also discusses if going through IVF can increase the odds of a superfetation pregnancy.