16/11/2023
16/11/2023

WASHINGTON, Nov 16, (Agencies): A unique and extraordinary situation has unfolded for Kelsey Hatcher, a 32-year-old woman from Alabama, who, due to a rare condition known as "uterus didelphys," possesses two uteruses. The surprising twist in her journey is that she is currently pregnant in both uteruses, a remarkable event she is openly sharing on her Instagram account, "doubleuhatchlings."
Kelsey has been aware of her condition since the age of 17, with "uterus didelphys" being a rare anomaly affecting approximately 0.3 percent of females. The revelation of her double pregnancy occurred during a routine eight-week ultrasound visit in May. To her astonishment, she discovered that she was not only expecting twins this time but that each uterus housed a developing fetus.
"We were kind of blown away! During that first ultrasound, we had LOTS of laughs," she shared in an Instagram post.
Explaining the unusual occurrence, Dr. Shweta Patel, the obstetrician-gynecologist overseeing Hatcher's care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Women & Infants Center, suggested that separate ovulation and fertilization processes might have taken place, leading to the development of a fetus in each uterus.
Despite the potential complications associated with pregnancies in both uteruses, Hatcher, a massage therapist and mother of three, expressed confidence, as all her previous children were born healthy at full term.
Pregnancies in both uteruses are extremely rare, with odds estimated at 1 in 50 million. The last widely known case was reported in Bangladesh in 2019 when Arifa Sultana gave birth to healthy twins 26 days apart.
Hatcher, affectionately calling her soon-to-arrive babies "the girlies," is aiming for a medicated natural birth for both, with a due date coinciding with Christmas. However, the uteruses may contract at different times, potentially requiring Cesarean sections, either individually or for both, depending on the unfolding circumstances.
Despite the unprecedented nature of her case, Hatcher expresses confidence in her medical team at the University of Alabama, acknowledging that each doctor's visit comes with reminders of the unique situation. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic, feeling reassured that she has the best team and is in the right hospital to navigate this extraordinary pregnancy journey.