Woman gives birth with half a womb

[buttmunch]

A woman with half a womb has given birth to a son she never dared dream of. Sylvie Brown, 32, was convinced she would not be able to have children.
As well as her rare gynaecological problem, she suffers from multiple sclerosis. But the baby boy in her arms is delightful proof that she was wrong.

Despite growing in a womb only half the normal size, her son Marcus was born a healthy 5lb 9oz - only slightly smaller than average.


Join the debate » "He just kept growing bigger and bigger. I worried how it would turn out but it was fine," said Miss Brown at home in Sheffield with her partner Steve Wright.

Miss Brown was born with two wombs. When this started causing her problems as a teenager, she had one removed.

The remaining womb was just half size. "I was effectively left with half a womb," she explained. Surgeons also discovered that she had a missing kidney.

Then after graduating from Sussex University with a first class degree in chemistry and European studies, she faced a further health setback.

Diagnosed with MS at 23

"I was 23 when I got the MS diagnosis and felt shattered. I couldn't apply for jobs, my future was uncertain, I was young and scared.

"Everything was stacked against me. It was all I could do to look after myself. When I discovered I was pregnant I couldn't believe it.

"I went to the doctor's and had a bit of a breakdown, saying "I've got MS, I've got half a womb, I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant, I can't handle any of this". The doctors told me they really did not know what would happen.

"But they gave me a scan and when I saw this tiny baby with a heartbeat I knew I wanted to go through with it.

"I had some doubts but I decided it wasn't just about me. There was another life and it had to have a chance."

During her pregnancy Miss Brown was monitored every week at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.

At 35 weeks doctors decided the baby's growth was slowing and decided to deliver him by caesarean at 37 weeks.

But Miss Brown went into labour a week before and Marcus was born in an emergency caesarean on October 22.

"It all happened so quickly," she said.

"They operated and, suddenly, I was mother to a beautiful little boy. Marcus was fine, he didn't even need special care, though he was kept in for a week to be on the safe side."

Marcus's father Mr Wright, 49, said: "The specialist at the hospital told us she really didn't know how the pregnancy was going to turn out.

"She told us to hope for the best basically. But I had this gut feeling from the beginning that it would be all right."

Now almost a month old, Marcus is blossoming and gaining weight. "It's wonderful, he's thriving," said Miss Brown.

"I still can't believe how lucky I am given my situation.' Last month, Claire Miles, 35, of Exeter gave birth to twins from her two separate wombs. Noah and Maisie were born healthy at 33 weeks.

I'm kind of freaked out by the two womb thing.

[Tiara]

now thats a miracle!

[britlitgal]

the fact that some other woman had twins from two uteruses (uterii??) is even more amazing to me. the uterus is so elastic--i really don't see why it is such a huge deal that the first woman had a healthy baby. if people can have quints and quads with one normal-sized uterus, surely half of one for one baby isn't too much of a big deal.

[Tiara]

^^ I see what you mean but if I only had half a uterus I'd be thinking maybe I can't have kids, but then to have one anyway must be amazing.

[deckchick]

Yes it is amazing!

I understand being kinda freaked about the two womb thing, but that stuff happens in nature all the time. My cousin was born with an extra thumb, and we have all read more strange stories then that.

It's nice to start the day with a feel-good story!

[buttmunch]

An extra thumb? Where is it? sorry but I have to ask...is it next to the other one or what?