After being told she might not be able to have children due to a rare condition called uterus didelphys, Madeline Kaklikos experienced a remarkable turn of events. MailOnline reported that the 24-year-old found herself pregnant with twins months later, wherein one conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the other conceived naturally.
Madeline, a social worker, was born with two uteruses and two cervixes, a condition that initially shattered her hopes of becoming a mother. Reflecting on her surprising pregnancy, Madeline described the overwhelming joy and disbelief she felt, as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest.
How Rare Is Uterus Didelphys? Woman With Two Uteruses, Cervixes Gives Birth to Twins Conceived in Separate Wombs at Different Times
One in 50 Million Miracle Pregnancy
Medics have informed Madeline Kaklikos that her pregnancy is an incredibly rare occurrence with odds of one in 50 million. After a year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, Madeline and her husband Jon sought medical help and received a diagnosis of Madeline's congenital condition, which left them devastated.
In late 2021, Madeline began IVF treatment; but after nine unsuccessful rounds using one uterus, doctors decided to try her other uterus, resulting in a successful pregnancy.
During a scan at ten weeks, Madeline and Jon were astonished when the doctor revealed that there was another baby in her second uterus. According to Yahoo! News, the second baby, named Cole, might have been conceived spontaneously the week after the IVF transfer as he was smaller.
Medics explained that this unique pregnancy was one in 50 million because Nate was conceived through IVF, while Cole was a spontaneous pregnancy.
The couple was in shock upon learning that they were expecting twins, and they sat in silence for 20 minutes to process the news. Madeline acknowledges that a spontaneous pregnancy was unexpected, and they were initially warned about the potential complications of having one baby, let alone two.
Despite the initial surprise, Madeline's pregnancy went fairly smoothly with constant monitoring. She gave birth to twin boys, Nate and Cole, on February 20. While the babies required oxygen support and initially used feeding tubes, they are now thriving. Madeline and Jon are grateful for their special twins, realizing the extraordinary nature of their journey.
READ ALSO: Superfetation Twins Conceived Three Weeks Apart But Born on the Same Day
What Is Uterus Didelphys?
Uterus didelphys, also known as a double uterus, is a rare condition in which an individual develops two uteruses, as per Cleveland Clinic. This congenital abnormality is present from birth, where the two uterine cavities are narrower compared to a typical uterus. Each uterus has its own fallopian tube and ovary. And in some cases, there may also be two cervixes and two vaginal canals.
Unlike a single uterus that forms as two ducts join together during fetal development, the ducts in the uterus didelphys do not merge, resulting in the presence of two separate uteruses that may resemble bananas rather than the usual pear shape.
Uterus didelphys is a relatively uncommon condition, affecting only about 0.3% of the population, making it one of the least frequently encountered uterine abnormalities.
Having a double uterus can have implications for pregnancy. Individuals with uterus didelphys are at an increased risk of experiencing miscarriages and preterm births. However, it is important to note that healthy pregnancies are still possible for those with this condition.
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