An Arkansas woman got pregnant while pregnant. The expectant mom Julia Grovenburg from Fort Smith had the appointment for scheduled ultrascan. While doing the test, obstetrician observed the heartbeat of a second fetus, at earlier stage of development. According to specialist, a boy fetus was conceived two weeks later than his “older sister”. Both fetuses attached inside the womb and began growing normally.
Such phenomenon is very rare (there are only ten reported cases) and is called superfetation. It happens when a woman ovulates more than once a month and a second egg is fertilized soon after a pregnancy has already begun.
According to the Grovenburgs’ obstetrician Michael Mailart, the superfetation can be verified after birth by comparing the babies’ chromosome set and metabolism.
It’s curious that due to his location in the womb, a second baby should be born first; either it will be a vaginal delivery or a Cesarean section. Due dates for the babies are 2009 and 2010.
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