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Superfetation is the word of the week
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Julia and Todd Grovenburg on the Today show
It's tempting to make snarky remarks about what might be in the water in Arkansas: First the Duggars, and now an Arkansan woman who possibly conceived twice in the space of a little over two weeks. It is, of course, not unheard of for a woman to concieve twins (or, theoretically, more than twins) in separate sexual encounters over several days; the public only hears about the lurid ones that involve several fathers, but it is seems that its likely more common then people realize. But separate conceptions over two weeks apart? It turns out that it is actually possible -- there are about ten reported cases -- but it's so rare that the specialist Julia Grovenburg consulted had done a study on the issue, but had never actually seen a case herself. In fact, experts seem to disbelieve that superfetation is at work here, and that, instead, Grovenburg is pregnant with conventionally conceived twins who are growing at different rates. It doesn't seem like there are any post-natal tests that will clarify the issue, so it just may remain a mystery.
In the meantime, let's all ponder the question of what exactly inspires people to play out their fertility issues on national television, and when, exactly, the Today Show turned into the "Wacky People Stories" hour.
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