Woman with Two Uteruses Gives Birth to Twins

on March 7, 2009 at 6:48 AM

woman with two uteruses gives birth I've been reading about this story in the news and all I can say is -- amazing!

Sarah Reinfelder has two uteruses and recently gave birth to twin girls -- one from each womb. An article on BettyConfidential.com helped me learn a little about this fascinating pregnancy.

Reinfelder's condition isn't actually all that rare -- about 1 in every 3,000 women has two uteruses (or uteri) -- but conceiving and carrying a baby in each womb is highly unusual, and dangerous. According to Betty, her doctor said the chances of a successful pregnancy in Reinfelder's situation are about one in five million.

The Betty editors spoke to an OB/GYN on how the double uteri thing happens. Apparently, when a female uterus is in utero, two parts of the reproductive system are supposed to fuse together into one womb -- in Reinfelder's case, that didn't happen.

This abnormality would normally be detected during a routine vaginal exam and then an MRI would confirm the condition.

Reinfelder was originally told she'd never be able to have children and now she has three -- the twins and an older baby boy.

Um, wow!

What did you think when you read about this story in the news? Do you know a woman who overcame an unusual situation to go on to a successful pregnancy and birth?

Filed Under: is it safe, labor & delivery

Comments (11)

mommalady

on Mar 7, 2009 at 8:55 AM

I thought it was crazy! But cool too. I'm glad that both she and her children are fine.

Report this comment

rebecca_tal4

on Mar 7, 2009 at 12:44 PM

wow! i never knew that women could have more that one uterus!!

RanaAurora

on Mar 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM

I have a friend with a "heart-shaped" uterus which is almost completely separated into two. She's currently pregnant, but only with one.

zombie_mommy

on Mar 7, 2009 at 5:40 PM

adorable story. the kids will have that to tell for the rest of their lives.

JTLMOMMY

on Mar 7, 2009 at 8:24 PM

This is an amazing story. I had a "heart-shaped uterus, but couldn't get pregnant until I had a surgery to remove the septum dividing my uterus in two parts.

Jennifina

on Mar 8, 2009 at 9:34 PM

I was reading "Spritual Midwifery" in preparation for my next baby, and I read about a woman with the same scenario, except she also has two birth canals (vaginas!) Can you imagine??? In the story I read, she had a child from each uterus, but at different times. I wonder if it's the same in this womans case or if the one birth canal leads in two separated paths to the two uteri

prinzesstephi

on Mar 9, 2009 at 2:14 AM

I hadn't heard this story until I read this.. but I do have four babies, and I was only born with one ovary.. that tends to amaze my doctors

chudyschick1251

on Mar 9, 2009 at 2:25 AM

MY BESTFRIENDS WAS BORN WITH DOUBLE OF EVERYTHINIG A NORMAL WOMAN HAS, AND ONLY HAS ONE KIDNEY, AND SHE HAS HAD TWO BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GURLS, SHE IS VERY BLESSED... BUT EVERYTIME SHE HAS A BABY THEY HAVE TO CUT OUT A COUPLE OF PARTS..IDK ITS WEIRD, BUT BOTH TIMES SHE HAD VERY NORMAL P/G'S

Pweek

on Mar 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM

My SIL doesn't have 2 uterus, but hers is separated into 2 parts. For years, she would get pregnant in one or both sides, only to miscarry. Eventually, she got pregnant in both sides, miscarried one, but carried the other. Unfortunately it was her only child. He was 32 when he died from complications of a vasectomy.....

pagan_mama

on Mar 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM

I've heard of a woman having 2 uteruses before, but in most cases only one is functional and capable of sustaining a pregnancy and birth. This is extremely rare and unusual. Nice to hear that mom and both babies are well and doing fine.