Report by Elias Ali
In a rare case, a woman in Brazil has given birth to twins with different fathers; after she had sex with different men on same day.
According to
the woman’s doctor, only 20 of such births occurring have been documented
worldwide. The rare phenomenon, heteroparental superfecundation, sees a woman
deliver twins from two different fathers.
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| Photo credit: Express |
Eight months
after the twins' delivery the woman requested a DNA test with the man she believed
was their dad. When the result came out, only one baby was a positive match. It
was then the mother, a 19-year old, from Mineiros, Brazil, recalled that she
had sex with another man, same day, and invited him for a test. It turned out
positive.
“I was
surprised by the results”, said the woman; “I didn't know this could happen and
the babies are very similar."
Dr Tulio
Jorge Franco while speaking with a Brazilian Broadcaster, Globo, had this to
say, "It is possible to happen when two eggs from the same mother are fertilized
by different men. The babies share the mother's genetic material, but they grow
in different placentas."
He further
gave insight into the pregnancy. "The pregnancy was super smooth, without
any complications. The boys were born healthy and have never had health
problems; adding, "It's extremely rare. It happens once in a million. I
never imagined that I would see such a case in my life."
Local media
have it that the twins are now 16 months old
One of the
men is reported to have legally registered as the father of both of them and is
helping to take care of them. According to their Mom, "He takes care of
both of them, helps me a lot and gives them all the necessary support that they
need."
This condition
is very rare but studies say it may be more common than is held out. A study
showed that one 1 out of 400 twin births in USA is a result of heteroparental
superfecundation.
A question that may come up then is whether a woman can further get pregnant within days of first conception. Can the possibility arise; or in fact, has there been any such recorded case?