Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Fibroids and pregnancy

Welcome to the club. I've met some women here who have successfully carried babies to term with fibroids in place, with some fibroid growth. I've also heard women report that they have had excrutiating pain from degenerating fibroids and the babies were fine but the pregnancy was rough on the mother. There are also a lot of women who have had miscarriages, which may or many not have to do with their fibroids -- myself included.

Doctors don't really know which fibroids will cause problems and which ones won't -- at least not beyond just normal clinical experience, the studies just haven't been done yet on a lot of topics. Some tiny fibroids can become really large during pregnancy. Large fibroids might experience some growth but not cause too many problems, or vice versas. I learned of one woman recently who had her fibroid removed during a c-section to deliver her baby -- the fibroids and the baby weighed the same. What you want to find out is where is/are the fibroid/s, what type are they (submucosal, intramural, subserosal)

The Babycenter.com fibroid message board has lots of posts from women who are trying to conceive with fibroids in place or post myomectomy (surgery to remove fibroids), as well as women having to deal with fibroids during their pregnancies.

Just because you have fibroids doesn't mean that you can't conceive and carry a healthy child to term, but it can make the journey a little less smooth.

I've posted a bunch of interesting articles about fibroids and fertility in the Links area of the NUFF uterinefibroids message group. Do check them out (subscription required).

Go out to the bookstore and buy: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Uterine Fibroids, and Sex, Lies and the Truth About Uterine Fibroids.

Oh, and I would seek the assistance of an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) if you have a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. They are more knowledgeable about hormone imbalances and specialize in fertility issues -- they are ob/gyns with advanced training -- and if you haven't had any luck with well-timed intercourse after a year the you should go for a consult anyway. They might try to push you for surgery and fertility drugs but it is up to you what you want to have done.

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