Yes, it is possible for a woman to become pregnant while already pregnant, though it is extremely rare. This phenomenon is known as superfetation.

Superfetation occurs when a woman ovulates and conceives while already pregnant. This can happen if a second egg is fertilized by sperm after the initial pregnancy has begun. Typically, once a woman is pregnant, hormonal changes prevent further ovulation, but in rare cases, these hormonal signals can fail.

For superfetation to occur, several conditions must be met:

• The woman must still be ovulating during her pregnancy.
• The sperm must be present in the reproductive tract to fertilize the egg.
• The fertilized egg must implant successfully in the uterus.

There have been a few documented cases of superfetation throughout medical history. For example, in 2009, a woman in the United States gave birth to twins who were conceived weeks apart. The first baby was born after 31 weeks, while the second baby was delivered after 34 weeks, indicating that they were conceived at different times.

In another case from 2015, a woman in Australia experienced a similar situation where two fetuses were conceived at different times during her pregnancy, leading to a rare occurrence of superfetation.

It is important to note that superfetation is not the same as having multiple pregnancies (like twins) that occur from the same ovulation cycle. In typical multiple pregnancies, the fertilized eggs develop simultaneously. In contrast, with superfetation, the second pregnancy occurs during the first.

While superfetation is theoretically possible, it remains an uncommon phenomenon due to the complex hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, which typically prevent further ovulation. Most women will not experience this, and those who do may face increased risks and complications.

In conclusion, while a woman can technically get pregnant while already pregnant due to superfetation, such occurrences are exceedingly rare and not well understood. Further research and documentation are needed to fully understand the implications and mechanics behind this phenomenon.

If you are interested in more detailed scientific literature on this subject, you might explore resources such as:

• National Institutes of Health - Superfetation
• Journal of Medical Case Reports