Two Women Born with a Double Uterus Welcome Twins in the Same Hospital: 'One in a Million'
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital helped deliver two sets of twins born from moms with a double uterus
An Alabama hospital has now helped deliver another set of twins that were born from a woman with a double uterus, which doctors call a “one in a million” pregnancy.
On March 6, Shellie Pascoe welcomed a healthy baby boy and girl at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital after carrying the twins in two uteruses. The 29-year-old was told over a year ago that she had a rare condition called uterine didelphys.
"From that point on, you know, we were told that it might be very difficult to get me to get pregnant and also to carry the pregnancy," she told Good Morning America.
After two past miscarriages, Pascoe and her husband John learned they were pregnant with twins during their first ultrasound appointment.
"I remember the ultrasound technician kind of doing a double-take," she said. "We were all shocked."
"We were just praying for a healthy heartbeat, and, you know, we got that two-fold and we just felt so grateful," John added.
Related: Ala. Woman with Double Uterus Is Pregnant and Expecting a Baby in Both: It's 'Very, Very Rare'
According to the Cleveland Clinic, uterine didelphys is a rare condition where a person develops two uteruses at birth. It occurs when the two small tubes that typically grow and join together to form the uterus instead create its own uterus. Some people with a double uterus may also have two cervixes and two vaginal canals.
UAB Dr. Richard Davis, who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, told the outlet that the odds of having a double uterus and carrying a baby in each are about “one in a million.”
Despite the low likelihood, Pascoe welcomed her twins just months after another mom with a double uterus welcomed a set of twins at the same hospital.
Kelsey Hatcher, who was also born with the rare condition, and her husband Caleb welcomed twin girls in December 2023. Hatcher carried her twins in each of her uteruses after already giving birth to three children who were carried in one uterus.
"When I first found out, I was like, 'I wonder if there's anybody I can reach out to just to, you know, see what their experiences were,'" she told GMA at the time. "But I think I've only read of two other cases [in which] they've had [pregnancies] in completely separate uteruses, and no one that I've been able to reach out to."
Related: Woman with Double Uterus Gives Birth to Twin Girls: 'Our Miracle Babies Were Born'
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After hearing each other’s stories and learning that they live just hours apart, the two moms were able to connect before Pascoe gave birth.
“It is scary going through two losses and then finding out I have a rare condition and pregnancy,” Pascor told the hospital. “Connecting with Kelsey, being able to follow her journey and seeing her babies come out healthy provided us hope. It was also comforting to know that the UAB team was going to have a hands-on experience to learn from.”
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