The sound of giggling erupted from the living room, and I poked my head around the door, stopping to watch my daughter Molly, 14, and my son George, 10. They were laughing together on the sofa and I thought how nice it was to hear them having fun, rather than bickering. All mothers will tell you how special their children are, but when I watch my two together and admire how different they are, yet still so similar in many ways, it strikes me just how true that sentiment is for them. Despite being my biological children and me carrying and giving birth to them both, they were actually conceived and carried in two different wombs.
RARE CONDITION
I first realised something was different about me when I was 14. My friends were all starting their periods and yet mine stubbornly stayed away. Until one day I suddenly felt an odd popping sensation. In the bathroom, I found blood in my underwear. Calling for my mum, she took me to the hospital because the bleeding was so heavy. They suspected a cyst had burst. Only, after more scans they actually discovered I had two wombs, two cervices and two vaginas - a rare condition known as uterus didelphys. And I'd actually been having periods for a while but a blockage caused by my condition had stopped them from making themselves known.
As if that wasn't enough to take in, the doctor had even more shocking news. "It'll be really difficult for you to have children,' he said. And if I did, it would be impossible for me to give birth naturally. At 14, I wasn't thinking about my future family plans and was simply relieved when the specialists said they could turn my two vaginas into one with surgery, and that my two wombs were small but functioning at least.
Denne historien er fra October 02, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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Denne historien er fra October 02, 2023-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?