In Australia, one woman’s unusual birth is being described as a miracle event that, medically, has only been recorded ten times, ever.
Kate Hill welcomed two baby girls last December after a somewhat unusual pregnancy; The Brisban native fell pregnant after hormone treatment and then ten days later ovulated and conceived another child.
It’s a phenomenon known as superfetation.
Ten years ago Ms. Hill was treated for polycystic ovarian syndrome – a condition that left her unable to ovulate as frequently. Speaking to Australian TV show Today Tonight, Kate said they were shocked when they discovered what had happened;
“Superfetation is extremely rare. I had fallen pregnant, and my body had spontaneously released another egg giving the embryos different gestational ages. What makes this case even more rare, is that my husband and I only tried once – his sperm stayed alive for 10 days to fertilise the second egg released”
She gave birth to two little girls, Charlotte and Olivia who were born together days before their planned C-section. Kate’s doctor Dr. Armstrong said he had never come across a case of superfetation before. So rare was the condition that he failed to find any literature about it on medical websites and had to Google it instead!
The 2016 Australian Birth Photographer of the Year, Selena Rollason, captured the birth of the girls in a series of beautiful photos.
The girls were born different sizes and have a different blood type. Kate said they feel extraordinarily blessed to have such happy healthy 10-month-olds.
What a surprise that would be! Mail us with your comments and join the conversation: Amanda.Cassidy@HerFamily.ie
