A gobsmacked mum has hailed her "miracle" babies after falling pregnant twice in the space of a week.
Kimberley Tripp, 35, was told she might never be able to have kids, but days after learning she was expecting a child through IVF treatment, she was stunned to find she had conceived another naturally.
Diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at 15, the Australian, from Brisbane, had nonetheless held on to hopes that she might one day have a family, but after years of struggling to conceive, she knew it was time to consider her options.
Supported by her loving husband Adrian, 35, Kimberley spent thousands undergoing IVF.
In July 2019, she was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant - but the couple were then left speechless when a scan showed she was actually expecting twins.
“We couldn’t believe it. I never knew something like that was even possible," says Kimberley, who is now mum to Leo and Patrick, who are 15 months old.
“We were so overjoyed to be having twins. I feared I’d never have one baby - let alone two.”
Devastating diagnosis sparked fears for future
Kimberley says she had wanted to be a mum for as long as she could remember, but was left "devastated" by her teenage diagnosis with PCOS.
The hormonal disorder is estimate to affect one in 10 women of childbearing age and is one of the most common causes of infertility.
“I wanted to get married and have a family and would have loved at least two children," says Kimberley. "Growing up with two older brothers, I knew I wanted a big family.
“When I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which can make it nearly impossible to have kids.
“I was told I might never have children, and if I did, I would definitely need help.
“I was devastated to think that I may never had my own family, but part of me thought that I would never give up trying."
Mum left in 'total shock' after scan
After getting into shape and preparing herself mentally, Kimberley decided to undergo IVF, which took four rounds of treatment before it worked.
“We had one embryo transferred and was overjoyed when it worked," she says. "It was something we thought might never happen.
“Then at our first ultrasound at six weeks along, we discovered that there was not just one baby, but two. I was in total shock.
“We only transferred one embryo, so I couldn’t understand what happened.
“But my doctor explained one twin was conceived naturally and the other was through IVF."
The phenomenon of a woman becoming pregnant twice during a short period of time is known medically as superfetation - which is when a second, new pregnancy occurs during an initial pregnancy.
Babies born from superfetation are most often considered twins, since they are usually born during the same birth on the same day.
“The IVF specialist explained to me that due to all the medication I was taking for the IVF, it must have kick started my fertility," says Kimberley.
“This meant I was able to ovulate and conceive naturally at the same time.
“My husband and I didn’t think to use protection during the IVF process, because I don’t ovulate – which was the reason for the IVF in the first place."
'Miracles do happen'
The couple’s miracle boys were welcomed into the world in March 2020, with Patrick and Leo weighing in at 2.7kg and 1.9kg respectively.
Kimberley is now sharing her incredible story to give hope to others who are struggling with fertility.
“Patrick was born first and is the bigger twin. He is cheeky, mischievous, very determined and the bossy one," she adds.
“Leo is the smaller twin. He is so affectionate and giggly and always smiling, and is the jokester of the two.
“I never expected this to happen to us and for a long time thought I might never become a mum.
“But miracles do happen, and I now feel like my world is complete. We’re so happy.”
Got an incredible real life story you want to share? Get in touch by emailing alex.bellotti@reachplc.com
