Dr Joe Whittington, who goes by Dr Joe on his social media platforms is a certified MD in Emergency Medicine based in Apple Valley, California is a social media medical educator. He uploads many real-life health-related stories and cases to educate general public about it. In one such videos, he featured a woman who just had her baby four days ago and found out that she was four months pregnant.

Is This Possible?

Dr Joe says, "technically, yes". This phenomenon is known as superfetation that occurs when a woman releases an egg and it gets fertilized and implanted after she is already pregnant.

He says, "Usually pregnancy changes such as hormonal changes, changes in the uterus, and the cervical mucous plug all work to prevent this. So superfetation is extremely rare with only about 10 documented cases. But, it is possible."

What Is Superfetation?

It is a rare phenomenon where a second pregnancy occurs alongside an existing one. This happens when another ovum or the egg is fertilized by sperm and implanted in the womb days or weeks later than the first one. Babies born from superfetation are often considered twins as they may be born on the same birth on the same day. However, not always does it happen. In the case that Dr Joe picked up, the baby had a difference of four months.

ALSO READ: Pregnancy Trimesters, Everything You Need To Know About It

So, How Does It Happen?

In humans, pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by sperm and implants in the uterus. For superfetation to happen, a second egg must be fertilized and implanted separately while a pregnancy is already underway.

For this to occur, three highly unlikely events must take place:

Ovulation during an ongoing pregnancy – This is rare because pregnancy hormones typically prevent further ovulation.

Fertilization of the second egg – Once pregnant, a woman’s cervix forms a mucus plug that blocks sperm from entering, making fertilization extremely unlikely.

Implantation in an already pregnant uterus – Implantation requires specific hormonal changes that usually don’t occur once pregnancy has begun.

Additionally, a growing fetus takes up space, making it harder for another embryo to implant.

Because these conditions are so improbable, superfetation is considered nearly impossible in natural pregnancies. However, a few reported cases exist, primarily in women undergoing fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). In such cases, an embryo is transferred into the uterus, but if ovulation unexpectedly occurs and the egg is fertilized, superfetation might happen a few weeks later.

Could There Be Any Complications?

The biggest complication with superfetation is premature birth. The baby maybe born before time and could have the following medical conditions:

• trouble breathing
• low birth weight
• movement and coordination problems
• difficulties with feeding
• brain hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain
• neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, which is a breathing disorder caused by underdeveloped lungs

Women too could have complication, which includes high blood pressure and protein in the urine, a condition called preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.

The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion, accompanied by celebrations as well as well-meaning advice from friends and family. "Don't feed for 24 hours!" "Give honey first!" "Discard the first milk!" These traditional and generational beliefs leave new mothers confused about what is appropriate for their baby.

As a neonatologist with years of experience, I have seen how these myths can harm the delicate newborns. Let us separate fact from fiction with simple, but evidence-based truths.

Myth 1: Wait Before First Feed

Traditional Belief: Many families delay breastfeeding for hours—waiting for an auspicious time, a particular relative, or to follow traditions and customs.

Fact: Babies should be breastfed within the first hour of birth (Golden hour) right in the labor room! The yellowish first milk (colostrum) is packed with antibodies and nutrition. Early feeds can prevent low blood sugar levels, build immunity, increase the mother’s milk supply, and lead to bonding between the mother and the newborn.

Myth 2: Honey or Jaggery First

Traditional Belief: Elders give honey, jaggery, or butter at birth for strength and good virtues.

Fact: Short-cuts are dangerous! Stick to mother's milk only. Anything else can cause infections (botulism with honey) and delay colostrum administration.

Myth 3: Throw Away Colostrum

Traditional Belief: "First milk is dirty—discard it!"

Fact: Colostrum is liquid gold! It is a natural vaccine, full of maternal antibodies and high in proteins. Discarding it deprives the baby of natural immunity.

Myth 4: 40-Day Lockdown

Traditional Belief: Keep mother-baby indoors for 40 days to avoid colds.

Fact: Fresh air and sunlight are rich sources of oxygen and vitamin D. Confining them in dark, stuffy rooms increases the risk of post-partum depression in the mother. Take short, safe outdoor trips, avoiding windy weather.

Myth 5: Gripe Water and Janam Ghutti

Traditional Belief: Essential for digestion, teething, and excessive crying.

Fact: Avoid completely as the ingredients are not standardized or regulated. Contents vary wildly—many contain alcohol, opioid derivatives, or bacteria, causing loose stools and sedation. Breast milk is the panacea.

Myth 6: Kajal Makes the Eyes Beautiful

Traditional Belief: Surma/kajal improves eyesight and makes the eyes bigger

Fact: May contain lead that causes eye infections, allergies, and lead poisoning if used excessively

Myth 7: Babies need water before 6 months.

Fact: Breast milk or formula is 88 percent water and meets the water requirement even in hot months. Early water intake increases the risk of sodium imbalance (hyponatremia). Start water in a sippy or cup, after 6 months, with complementary foods (150-250 ml water split into multiple times).

Myth 8: Sneezing = Cold

Traditional Belief: Any sneeze means an upcoming cold.

Fact: Newborns sneeze to clear mucus— a sign of healthy airways! Consult a doctor if it is accompanied by fever, cough, or runny nose.

Myth 9: Mother's 'Cold' Foods Harm The Baby

Traditional Belief: Curd, rice, and ice cream can cause cold or colic in the baby.

Fact: The temperature of the maternal diet does not influence the breast milk temperature or quality, so no cold food bans!

Myth 10: Teething Causes Fever/Diarrhea

Traditional Belief: Fever and loose stools indicate tooth eruption

Fact: Red flag! These signals indicate infections from dirty objects that babies put into their mouths during the mouthing phase of development. See a doctor immediately.

Myth 11: Protruding Navel = Doctor Error

Traditional Belief: Caused by excessive pull on the cord during delivery.

Fact: Commonly due to lax abdominal muscles. It usually resolves by one year of age. No tapes/coins are needed. Consult a doctor immediately if the swelling does not retract or becomes red.

Myth 12: Warm Head = Fever

Traditional Belief: A warm forehead means fever

Fact: Normal newborn temp is 97.6-99.5°F. The head feels warmer due to increased blood flow. Check the armpit if concerned.

What to Do?

Tips For Parents:

• Embrace science over superstition.
• Trust your pediatrician and not any advice.
• Verify advice: Does it align with the guidelines of scientific bodies.
• Join lactation support groups.
• Be aware of red flags like fever, lethargy, poor feeding, and excessive irritability.
• Seek expert opinion when in doubt.
• Your baby's first 28 days are critical and determine their lifelong health, so get them right.

Continuing the legacy of football legend Joe Thompson, his wife Chantelle revealed she is pregnant with his baby after IVF treatment using frozen embryos.

Joe Thompson died in 2025 after developing cancer for a third time - beating the illness twice.

But after the former Manchester United star was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma for a third time, which had spread to his lungs, he died aged 36.

"It just means absolutely everything. I know it's never going to replace Joe obviously. Joe's Joe. But to be able to bring his baby into the world again is beautiful," Chantelle said.

She said Joe had two visions of their family with a baby boy before he died, and he even gave her the name for the baby boy he predicted, and she got pregnant on her first attempt of IVF after he had died.

How Egg Freezing Works

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is an option that has gained significant traction in recent years. It offers women the ability to pause their biological clock and preserve the possibility of having children in the future.

Egg freezing takes a woman's unfertilized eggs from her ovaries and stores them at sub-zero temperatures to be utilized later. It is made to enable women to keep their fertility intact, especially if they are not yet ready to have a baby.

Dr. Pavithra M, Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Infertility Specialist, told HealthandMe that the workup begins with hormone workup and evaluation of various parameters, such as age, body mass index (BMI), and ovarian reserve.

"On the second day of the menstrual cycle, baseline ultrasound scanning is performed to assess the number of follicles; thereafter, various tests of blood are conducted to assess hormone levels. If a woman's parameters are all normal, then she is administered hormonal injections for about 10-12 days."

It causes ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple mature eggs, monitored through ultrasound scans. A trigger shot is administered once the follicles have reached optimal size to help with final egg maturation. It takes 34-35 hours from the trigger shot, wherein eggs are retrieved by minimally invasive procedures under general anesthesia.

"Using a transvaginal ultrasound probe with a needle, each follicle is punctured, and the follicular fluid is aspirated. The retrieved eggs are then screened for quality before undergoing vitrification—a rapid freezing technique that minimizes ice crystal formation and cellular damage," Dr. Pavithra added. The eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen tanks for long-term preservation.

While egg freezing is possible at various stages of life, experts recommend doing it at an optimal age -- in the late 20s or early 30s when the eggs are of higher quality-- for better outcomes.

Vapes were marketed as a safer option than cigarettes, but research now shows they carry serious health risks -- from lung damage to meningitis to cancer.

Vaping has been a serious concern in the United States, with New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2025 filing a lawsuit against e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors.

The lawsuit accused the companies of fueling a youth vaping crisis, alleging that these companies that manufacture vapes, especially with flavors, have misled consumers about the safety of their products while deliberately targeting young people through deceptive marketing.

Now, a new study, published in JAMA Network Open, has for the first time assessed trends in young children's nicotine exposures across all types of products.

Shockingly, electronic cigarette-related incidents increased 243 percent over the past eight years in young children, especially among those under five years of age, said researchers from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

In contrast, tobacco exposures from conventional products such as cigarettes decreased by 43 percent.

Unlike cigarettes, these devices are often ready to use, brightly colored, require little effort to activate, and appear more like toys than a harmful product.

"This significant spike in children breathing in these substances tells us the risk has changed: It's no longer just about a toddler swallowing something they found on the floor," said lead author Perry Rosen, who conducted the research at the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

"Many recent cases involve children actively using e-cigarette devices after gaining access to them," Rosen added.

Key Findings

The findings were based on an analysis of more than 92,000 reported nicotine exposures in children ages 5 and younger between 2016 and 2023.

The researchers noted that vaping risks often involved children who inhaled the vapors directly from the devices. They also found that children exposed to e-cigarettes were more likely to require a visit to a health care facility compared with those exposed to cigarettes.

According to researchers, young children naturally mimic the behaviors they see around them. So, parents and caregivers must keep vaping devices away from the reach of young children.

Previous research has shown that even moderate ongoing nicotine exposure can lead to lasting health effects on developing lungs, including increased risk of bronchitis and worsening asthma.

"When children see caregivers or older family members vaping, they may copy that behavior—bringing the device to their mouth and inhaling—without any understanding they are exposing themselves to a harmful substance," said Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center.

Vaping: A Concern

Vaping has become a more common form of tobacco use among American middle and high school students.

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.6 million students used e-cigarettes in 2024, with 87.6 percent of them opting for a flavored product.

It is the flavor that makes it even more addictive, and people want to keep smoking it, resulting in it being emptied and refilled way more quickly.

This means those who smoke flavored cigarettes consume more tobacco than those who smoke unflavored ones.