Fibroids and Pregnancy – You Can Have Children
Fibroids and Pregnancy
Fibroids affect 40 percent of women (50 percent of African American women).Women hoping to conceive do not know that there are alternatives to a hysterectomy.
What are the chances of a child being born healthy by a mother affected by fibroids during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and have fibroids, you may be able to sleep a little better at night knowing that the battle is half over. Several of the complications related to fibroids occur prior to becoming pregnant. It is because of certain types of fibroids that women experience infertility. This is often due to the fact that these fibroids may either block a fallopian tube, thereby stopping the sperm from ever reaching the egg or may bulge into the uterine cavity, changing the natural shape of the uterus and preventing a newly fertilized egg from being planted. Therefore, if you have successfully passed this stage and are now well into your pregnancy, you may have a little less to worry about.
It is not to say, however, that you will be problem-free if you have fibroids during your pregnancy. Although many fibroids do not cause any problems during pregnancy, some fibroids -especially those located in the cavity of the uterus-may increase the chance of a miscarriage (in which the pregnancy ends before 20 weeks) or may cause a woman to go into premature labor.Theymay also increase the chance that the baby is not positioned to come out headfirst which can increase the need for cesarean section. Other complications due to fibroids may include discomfort, feelings of pressure, or pain.
Because of the reasons stated above and simply to ensure the proper growth of your baby, it is important to constantly have your pregnancy monitored by your physician. Although fibroids, almost never directly affect the health of your baby during pregnancy, it is necessary to keep close watch.
All things considered, if you are able to successfully deliver your baby, you should feel comforted knowing that the fibroids have no affect on the health of your newly born baby.
Should I surgically treat the fibroids before I give birth to avoid further complications?
Unfortunately, fibroids cannot be removed during pregnancy because of the risk of injury to the uterus and hemorrhage. Treatment is often limited to pain medication and medication to prevent premature labor, if necessary.
Most pregnant women who have fibroids will not experience any complications with their pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is usually an increase in the size of the fibroid due to increased hormone flow. Additionally, some of the complications that may arise include: obstructed labor, postpartum hemorrhaging, stalled labor, and forcing the fetus into an unusual position. Your physician will keep close watch to monitor and prevent the occurrence of most of these complications. Still, in approximately 75% of cases, there are no problems as a result of fibroids.
In the majority of cases, the symptoms are inconvenient and unpleasant, but do not result in health problems. Some of the more common minor symptoms pregnant women do experience are pelvic pain and light spotting. Additional symptoms include: pelvic pain or pressure, constipation, back pain, pain during intercourse and pain in the back of the legs.
Laura, a police officer, was diagnosed with fibroids at 35. Her primary care physician told her that her best option was to have a hysterectomy, but she wasn’t ready to give up her fertility. After doing research online, she found the Fibroid Treatment Collective. At 42, Laura was blessed with her first child. “I think embolization is the best procedure out there for maintaining your health and your fertility.” Laura explained. “Here I am sleep deprived (because of the baby), but the happiest person you could imagine. It [UFE] changed my life.” View her story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzyWhOHNDus
For more information, contact the Fibroid Treatment Collective at www.fibroids.com; follow on Twitter at @fibroiddoctor or become a fan on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Did anyone get pregnant while having the uterine fibroids and regretted it later?
My doctor tells me I should have fibroids removed before I get pregnant because of possible complications to pregnancy. But I know there are possible complications to surgery too.I lave 6 large fibroids, all intramural, the largest measuring 6 cm (2.5 inches) in diameter
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ANSWER:
I did conceive w/ 6 large fibroids(inside & outside uterus) in ’06. I will admit that I was in alot of pain b/c the fibroids began growing w/ the baby. He was born prematurely @ 5 months due to an infection…not b/c of the fibroids. We tried conceiving for almost a year w/ fertility drugs but nothing happened. I finally convinced myself to have the tumors removed b/c it seemed like that was the last resort. I had them removed in April and we accidentally conceived in that month as well! Oops! The doctor told us we could resume our activity…we just didn’t think it would result in a baby esp since we had been trying for a year. But I feel so much better having them removed and not having that stress and strain on my body and the baby. I would advise anyone who has fibroids to have them removed by a dr who specialized in preserving the uterus b/c I was originally told I would have to have a hysterectomy. I am an advocate for the surgery…best wishes!
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QUESTION:
Huge fibroids, myomectomy, and hysterectomy?
I was hoping to find someone out there who’s had large fibroids and had to have either a myomectomy or a hysterectomy because of them. I’d like to know what your personal experiences are with the fibroids/complications from them, what your experiences are from the myomectomy and/or hysterectomy you had. Are you glad you did it? Do you feel better now? What symptoms have you had since you had the procedure(s)? Thank you to all who answer seriously!
Joseph: First, this is not a “survey.” I believe it’s pretty apparent from my question that I’m trying to find out what OTHERS’ personal experiences are because I want to make the best decision FOR ME. But, that’s a clarification, in case there’s any confusion. Second, I don’t understand why a “Joseph” would be answering this question anyway. It’s obviously just for women (unless this is an alias or something).-
ANSWER:
I had lot of fibroids in 2004. I didn’t have much sign of the fibroids only sign was heavy bleeding during the first day of my period. I was on diet at that time to reduce some weight and at the same time I had bleeding. So I was really sick because of anemia. I had dizziness and weakness. I was really sick at that time. But I never thought I could have fibroids in my uterus.
I went to doctor and he felt lump in my lower abdomen. Ultra sonogram showed that I have many fibroids of size 18 weeks pregnancy. Doctor advised mayomactomy, but before that she advised to take 4 shots of luprone injection to reduce the size of the fibroids.
At the beginning of 2005, I had mayomactomy. Doctor removed 28 fibroids. She also said that there were lot more tiny fibroids inside my uterus which could not be removed. I think the luprone injections were useless in my case.
I had to take 1 month bed rest after the surgery but the surgery didn’t reduce the heavy bleeding during period. Doctor told me to try to get pregnant after 6 months of that surgery. I tried to get pregnant but the fibroids grew again bigger in size just in 6 months. After 1 year the fibroids grew again as big as size of 22 weeks pregnancy.
Luckily I got pregnant in Dec 2005. Now I’m 25 weeks pregnant with all the fibroids. I’m huge now, look like 10 months pregnant. Doctor will do hystorectomy when he does cesarean surgery to give birth of the baby.
I think in my case the 1st surgery wasn’t to successful because If I could get pregnant with no many fibroids now then I might get pregnant without having the surgery at first place. So I didn’t have to face painful expensive surgery at the first place. I could have only 1 surgery to give birth of the baby as well as remove the uterus.
I have to other option other the hystorectomy now because I have fibroids which grow really fast and they are many in number.
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QUESTION:
How soon can a woman have sex after surgical removal of uterine fibroids?
Assuming that there is no complications.
How soon can she feel semi-decent and can walk?-
ANSWER:
Have you had the procedure yet?If so the doctor should have told you your limitations. I am assuming it will be or was a day surgery so minimal walking the same day gradually increasing the next few days,1-2 weeks to work and 6 weeks for sex.
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QUESTION:
Pregnancy Induction due to fibroids?
I am 39 weeks preggo, 2 cm dilated and 60% effaced. I have two 5 cm fibroids. My doctor want to induce me into labor three days before my due date due. i am a little concerned about being induced early. Should I worry? Did anyone have major complications from fibroids?-
ANSWER:
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QUESTION:
Can uterine fibroids cause miscarriages?
I have had 2 miscarriages in the past year. 🙁 One in October of 2006 and just been treated for another. I have had 2 pregnancies resulting with no complications and healthy babies. During my pregnancy with my son who was born in July 2004, I found out I had uterine fibroids which caused lots of pain during the pregnancy, especially as my tummy expanded! I have had no symptoms ever since but am wondering if this could be related to the previous miscarriages? The doctor wants to remove them surgically but I want more children. I have 4 fibroids on the outter part of the utereus about the size of key limes as he described. Any one ever had this problem who went ahead with the surgery and then had successful births? And is it possible that they are causing the miscarriages? Thanks in advance for you help!-
ANSWER:
Fibroids are normally benign in nature. However they usually tend to increase in size during your period and during pregnancies because of hormones. It is possible that if your fibroid get large enough for the fetus not to be able to grown and breathe leading to miscarriages. I am pretty sure that the whole uterus doesnt have to be removed with the fibroid surgery, they can just remove the fibroids, so in theory you should still be able to have more children.
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