In a truly exceptional occurrence, the mom with a rare double uterus we introduced you to in November has given birth to two beautiful daughters within just two days. Kelsey Hatcher, 32, delivered her first daughter on Tuesday and her second on Wednesday at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital
Taking to social media, Kelsey expressed her gratitude to the incredible medical team who supported her through this remarkable journey. These girls, who are described as fraternal twins, even have the rare distinction of separate birthdays.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital
The new mom shared the joyous news that her family is now back home and ready to enjoy the holidays, despite her original expectation of a Christmas due date.
At the age of 17, Kelsey discovered that she had a double uterus, a condition known as uterus didelphys, which affects only 0.3% of women. The odds of conceiving in both uteri, a condition called dicavitary pregnancy, are even more astounding at “one in a million”, according to the UAB. Reported cases of such pregnancies across the world are incredibly rare.
Prior to this unique experience, she had three previous healthy pregnancies and was unaware of the baby in her second uterus until a routine ultrasound revealed the surprising news that left both her and her medical team in awe.
Throughout the pregnancy, Kelsey received care from both her obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine teams. Despite a few additional appointments, her pregnancy was routine. The separate uteri, sacs, placentas, and umbilical cords allowed each baby extra space to grow and develop.
When it was time for delivery, the medical team faced new challenges due to the unique circumstances. Kelsey was induced at 39 weeks since spontaneous labor did not occur. The team focused on delivering the baby on the right side first, followed by the baby on the left.
“As my contractions began, they were not consistently together but were within a few seconds of each other,” Kelsey said. “I felt each side contracting in different areas as well. I felt one consistent with the monitor that started on the left side and moved to the right.”
On December 19th Kelsey successfully delivered Baby A, Roxie, vaginally weighing 7 pounds 7 ounces at 7:45 p.m.
“There was a cheer from everyone in the room when the first baby was delivered, but there was another baby left,” Kelsey’s obstetrician, Shweta Patel, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology said. “Kelsey was essentially laboring in the left uterus while simultaneously undergoing the postpartum process in the right. She was having contractions with Baby B while breastfeeding Baby A.”
Ten hours later Baby B, Rebel, was delivered by c-section weighing 7 pounds 3.5 ounces on December 20th, 2023. The second baby’s birth required careful consideration since no blueprint existed for this situation.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital
With two wombs and two birthdays, the question arises – are the babies twins? Technically, yes and no. While they were conceived during the same ovulation cycle, each developing in a separate uterus, they can be considered fraternal twins.
Professor Davis explains that the girls can be classified as fraternal twins, as they developed from separate eggs fertilized by separate sperm. However, he charmingly describes their unique situation as “two babies in one belly at the same time” who just happened to reside in different “apartments”.
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