Is it possible to be born with two uteruses?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

My son's girlfriend was having quite a bit of pain with her periods, and heavy bleeding. She went this morning for an ultrasound and the dr. told her she has two uteruses!! My first thought when I found this out was - surely she misunderstood? But my son insists this is what she told him.

Is this possible?? And if so, what kind of problems would this create if she wants to have children in the future? Supposedly, dr. told her she could actually carry a baby in each at the same time?:uhoh3:

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Yes, it's possible. I work with a woman whose daughter has two uteri. And I went to school with a woman with the same condition.

Can't remember the proper term for it, though.

I think it can be possible to carry a baby in each, depending on how everything is connected. I believe there are different ways. The woman I work with said it will be possible for her daughter. Normally, nothing is done about the condition unless it causes severe problems for the woman.

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Specializes in OB.

It is possible to have two uteruses, but it is rare. A Uterus Didelphys or a "double uterus" is when the uterus has two inner cavities. Each cavity may lead to its own cervix and lady parts, resulting in two cervixes and two lady partss. There's also something called a Bicornuate Uterus (a womb with two horns) where the top of the uterus is shaped like a heart, with a deep indentation at the top. A Septate Uterus is when the inside of the uterus is divided by a septum, which may extend only party way into the uterus or reach as far as the cervix.

These abnormalities won't make a woman less fertile, but there are greater risks to pregnancy, such as miscarriage or premature labor. Some abnormalities can be treated by surgery, but such treatments can also carry risks, reducing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

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may extend only party way into the uterus

Gotta say, this is one of my favorite lines I've seen on here.

P.S. Love the Rent quote, can't wait for Nov. 11

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It amazes me how much I learn on this board!!! I'm glad I didn't argue with my son as to whether this was possible. Some of the things teenagers tell you can be a little "questionable"! But, evidently, he was right about this one!:rotfl:

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I had a neighbor growing up who was born with 1 kidney and 2 uteruses (or, is it uteri?).

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Specializes in OB.
I had a neighbor growing up who was born with 1 kidney and 2 uteruses (or, is it uteri?).

Both uteruses and uteri can be used as the plural form of uterus.

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I had a labor patient with two cervices. I was new, and when I got report that "the left cervix is closed and the right one is 3cm" I thought they were just trying to give the new kid a hard time :chuckle

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Specializes in PACU.

Hey I have a bicornuate uterus. Did not know until I was pg and having buttloads of problems.

Incomp. cervix, preterm labor @22 weeks, pain and bleeding the whole pg, finally, a placental abruption- which fully abrupted @25 weeks.

My son was 1 lb., 6oz. @ birth. He is now almost 6 years old- he is still about the size of a skinny 3 year old!

He has alot of issues still, but he is my heart.

I had my second child one year later (yes you read that right)

I went term w/ him- actually had a terbutaline pump at about 27 weeks for preterm labor this time.

He was born term-7lb.,1 oz. ( actually he was 5 weeks early- but that was close enough for me considering my first!)

Brandy

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
It is possible to have two uteruses, but it is rare. A Uterus Didelphys or a "double uterus" is when the uterus has two inner cavities. Each cavity may lead to its own cervix and lady parts, resulting in two cervixes and two lady partss. There's also something called a Bicornuate Uterus (a womb with two horns) where the top of the uterus is shaped like a heart, with a deep indentation at the top. A Septate Uterus is when the inside of the uterus is divided by a septum, which may extend only party way into the uterus or reach as far as the cervix.

These abnormalities won't make a woman less fertile, but there are greater risks to pregnancy, such as miscarriage or premature labor. Some abnormalities can be treated by surgery, but such treatments can also carry risks, reducing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Allllllrighty then! Learn something new everyday on Allnurses! :rotfl:

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

My sister has 3 kidneys, my son has 3 ureters.....if we only had extra brains!

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Specializes in OB.
Allllllrighty then! Learn something new everyday on Allnurses! :rotfl:

It's true, you do learn something new everyday! I actually worked as a post partum/newborn nurse for nearly 6 years before I knew about these abnormalities... or at least, I probably learned about them before, but never paid much attention to them until I one day I took care of a baby born to a mom with a bicornuate uterus. The baby turned out fine. :)

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