An incredible and rare occurrence took place at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital when Shellie Pascoe welcomed a healthy baby boy and girl on March 6.
What makes this birth even more extraordinary is that Shellie was carrying the twins in two separate uteruses, a condition known as uterine didelphys.
Uterine didelphys is a rare condition where a person is born with two uteruses instead of one. This anomaly occurs when the two small tubes that usually join together to form the uterus develop into separate uteruses. In some cases, individuals with a double uterus may also have two cervixes and two vaginal canals.
For Shellie Pascoe, who was diagnosed with uterine didelphys over a year ago, the odds of conceiving and carrying a pregnancy were initially slim. However, after two past miscarriages, Shellie and her husband John were overjoyed to learn they were pregnant with twins during their ultrasound appointment. Dr. Richard Davis, a specialist in high-risk pregnancies at UAB, mentioned that the chances of having a double uterus and carrying a baby in each uterus are about “one in a million.”
Interestingly, Shellie’s birth story echoes that of Kelsey Hatcher, another mom with a double uterus who welcomed twin girls at the same hospital in December 2023. After connecting with each other and sharing their experiences, Shellie and Kelsey found comfort and hope in each other’s journeys.
The bond between these two moms, who live just hours apart, served as a source of support and inspiration during their pregnancies. Shellie expressed gratitude for being able to follow Kelsey’s journey and witness the birth of her healthy babies. The UAB team’s expertise and care throughout both pregnancies provided reassurance and comfort to both Shellie and Kelsey.
