A didelphic uterus is a “double” uterus. It is a type of congenital uterine malformation in which two uteri and sometimes two cervices form.
Doctors might detect a double uterus through a number of imaging studies, such as hysterosalpingogram, ultrasound, or even MRI. The diagnosis might need to be confirmed by hysteroscopy or laparoscopy in order to differentiate a double uterus from a bicornuate uterus in some cases.
Most women with a didelphic uterus do not need special treatment for the condition, but generally women with this condition should make sure to work closely with a doctor during pregnancy to watch for signs of preterm labor or other risks to the baby. Doctors may perform surgery to unify the uterus or to remove an underdeveloped uterus if a woman is having health problems.
Women who have a didelphic uterus have a lot of variation in their ability to get pregnant and carry to term. Some women never have any problems because of the condition. Others may have recurrent miscarriages or may face preterm labor and increased risk of second-trimester pregnancy loss because of this.
In women who have two fully developed uteri, pregnancy might be completely normal -– and you might have even seen news articles on rare cases of women with a didelphic uterus getting pregnant in both uteri with different due dates.
In other women with a didelphic uterus, one uterus might be underdeveloped and have a higher risk of miscarriage, or if the cervix is underdeveloped, a higher risk of preterm labor.
Sources:
Cooney, Michael J., Carol B. Benson, and Peter M. Doubliet, "Outcome of pregnancies in women with uterine duplication anomalies." Journal of Clinical Ultrasound 6 Dec 1998. Accessed 14 Mar 2008.
Heinonen, Pentti K., "Clinical implications of the didelphic uterus: long-term follow-up of 49 cases." European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology Aug 2000. 183-190. Accessed 8 Dec 2007.
