A mother has left social media users stunned after explaining how and why she will give birth twice in the span of 14 weeks.
Jacqueline Schumer - who goes by the handle @jacqschumer - revealed in a TikTok video posted on August 20 that her unborn child has Spina Bifida.
The birth defect occurs when the spine and spinal cord fail to develop or close properly while the baby is in the womb. In the most severe cases, the defect can cause harm to the baby’s nervous system, leading to potential paralysis.
"When you find out you have to birth your 23-week GA baby so she can get spinal surgery, then put her back in your body to grow her for another 14 weeks until she’s born again," Schumer captioned the video of herself with her pregnant belly.
Check Schumer's TikTok below:So, essentially, Schumer will have given birth to her daughter "twice" in the space of 14 weeks.
As of this writing, the video garnered 3.6 million views and 187.5K likes on the social media platform, with many users questioning how the process would work, and whether Schumer and her baby would be safe.
One user wrote: "Outside of greys anatomy I didn’t know this was real, wow, praying for you."
Another user asked about the fluid-filled sac that holds and protects a baby while it’s in the womb: "What do they do with the amniotic sac and fluid afterward??? Curious."
A third user said: "My brain cannot fathom that this is possible."
A fourth user joked: "So does she get 2 birthdays?!?!?!?! cause if ever there was an excuse for 2 birthdays THIS IS IT!"
In a follow-up video posted on August 20, Schumer revealed that she had fetal surgery at 23 weeks and is now 30 weeks pregnant and on bed rest.
She explained that a lot of the amniotic fluid spilled out and was replaced with a type of IV fluid that has more minerals. This will help her unborn baby to make its own fluid again.
The first time mom-to-be told viewers that she visits doctors every week for an ultrasound until she’s ready for a C-section, saying: "It’s amazing what they can do," and commending her medical team.
Schumer also updated followers that her daughter was doing great and that the fluid levels were normal. "I’d do anything for her," she captioned the previous video.
We wish her a safe pregnancy journey!