Superfetation

Word of the day is superfetation. I am seeing and hearing this everywhere, so it was time to do a little research.

According to the dictionary, this noun is defined as the fertilization of an ovum during a pregnancy that is already in existence.

This is extremely rare in humans and can only occur when there are two uteri, or when the menstrual cycle continues through pregnancy.

This has hit the news because an Arkansas couple, Todd and Julia Grovenburg, found out at their ultrasound that she is pregnant again. This second baby is about 2 ½ weeks younger than the first one that was conceived. They believe that they are not twins because they are at different developmental stages. The first baby has a due date in December 2009 and the second baby is not due until January 2010.

There is a risk associated with this as both babies tend to be born when the mother goes into labor, so that means that the second baby will possible be born a bit early.

There were two reported cases in 2007 of this where the children were each conceived about 3 weeks apart.

Christine M. 'Pregnant Woman is Pregnant Again-Woman conceives while she is Pregnant'. Gather News.