to be worried about fibroids whilst trying to conceive?

[RnR]

Hi, recently found out (during my initial consultaion at fertility clinic last Thurs) from a scan that I have around 5 fairly large (size of small plums) fibroids in the uterus. The very po faced (scary) consultant was slightly alarmed and recommended a laparoscopy to investigate further. She implied that they may be the reason I have not yet conceived.

I am 40 this year, been trying for a year and a half.

Attempted a search on past conversations, so much to see and quite confusing.

Is anyone in the same situation as me, or has been through a similar experience?

I was quite shocked, did not expect the scan tbh, just questions and form filling so spent the last day in a daze. Trying not to freak out as there is SO much info on the net and not enough if you know what I mean.

Nearest date for the laporoscopy is beg June so a long time waiting.

Thanks

[RnR]

An update for those interested.

Spoke to GP today, she thought that waiting until June for Lap, Dye and Hysteroscopy was strange and way too long.

Rang clinic to make appointment for June and found out that the original consultant who I did not see (name on appointment form) is off on sick leave and will not be back until June. The consultant who I did see is retiring in a month.

I was told by the receptionist that as a result of the above and the fact that there are a fair few Bank holidays between now and then, my chances of taking advantage of a cancellation are minimal.

My GP is trying to get me in at another hospital. Fingers crossed.

[morningpaper]

Good for you for pursuing. Bugger about the consultants!!! What will your GP do? Telephone them or send letters or what? How long before you hear back from her?

[Waspie]

Like Tillyscoutsmum I was told that I would be unlikely to reach 40 weeks and to be prepared for an early delivery. As it turned out I was 43 weeks when I finally had DS (failed induction followed by emergency c-sec).

My fibroid was about 8x8x8 but at the fundal end. As DS was over 4kg at birth I too was absolutely huge by the end.

I had monthly scans to make sure the baby wasn't being affected by the fibroid and that the fibroid wasn't getting any bigger as a result of the increased blood supply.

I did try and talk the surgeon into removing the fibroid when I had the section but they were adamant that that wouldn't be a good idea. So I still have my ginormous fibroid and now also a ginormous baby

Best of luck RnR x

[RnR]

morningpaper my GP (who is fab) is going to ring fertility clinic to speak to the consultant for more details as she had not yet received any info about my scan etc...other than from myself today - probably in the post.

Not sure whether she is ringing or writing. She appreciates our sense of urgency so I have faith in her following this up to the best of her ability. She also knows that we are going away end of this week. I will ring her again on Friday.

I spoke to her today to tell her what I had found out.

[morningpaper]

Good I'm REALLY glad she is being helpful and sympathetic. Good luck xxx

[RnR]

Gee Waspie sounds like you have a big daddy of a fibroid. So glad it all proceeded smoothly.

Am I right in thinking that your fibroid did not grow in size during your pregnancy?

...and did they say why they thought it was not a good idea to remove it? Just being nosey now .

[Pitchounette]

Message withdrawn

[isoldeone]

RnR - can completely understand your frustration at the confusing info on the web. I have lurked on mums net for some months now and joined today because it gives me hope too that there are positive stories out there and so little is talked about fibroids

I'm 35 and had never heard of fibroids until last december when I was rushed into hospital with a suspected ectopic pregancy that then was misdiagnosed as an ovarian cyst likely to burst. I was 6 weeks pregnant and my two "grandaddies" of fibroids ( one is the size of a tennis ball / the other is unmeasurable but I can feel it as my uterus has grown ( bout the size of a babys head). Both on stalkson the outside .I thought I had over done the rioja and could understand why I could never loose weight around my middle.They are subserosal (on the outside) and on stalks. The hospital performed an emergency laparatomy and did not remove them becuse of the pregancy. They didn't affect my ability to conceive - no probs done and dusted on first attempt -planned and was over the moon. And then came all the crappiness

I have had severe hypermemsis ( apparently related) since and ironies of ironies as it has finally faded at 18 weeks and one day of feeling perfect last week I am now struggling with the pain as they "reddegenerate". my huge belly feels like it will fall off the last few days! All I have been told is that it will be a "challenging pregancy" Like people will say it seems to all depend on where the fibroids are. Some of the american and austrailan websites are a little more helpful but now I have stopped reading. My NHS consultant is useless and just told me to relax. i have been warned of possible miscarriage and preterm labour. No extra scans have been offered between 10 and 20 weeks.( EVEN THOUGH i HAVE ASKED!! I too like you would welcome more info and publicity about fibroids but none seems forthcoming. Don't give up hope and keep trying to TTC. I have come across more postive stories than negative ones on the net if that helps.

[RnR]

Hi there Pitchounette. I am not yet sure where they are in my uterus, I guess that is also why I am feeling so frustrated as am not able to prepare myself for the next course of action based on what type I have.

SOOOOOOOO frustrating! (Breathe)

Patience is not a virtue of mine.

Thanks so much for your response.

[RnR]

Hello *isoldene8, about to cook supper so will respond a bit later.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Hey isoldeone.... I didn't get any extra scans between 12-20 but did get them fortnightly from 20 weeks. I think the problem is that every fibroid is different. Its position in the uterus, whether it is inside/outside/on stalks, the position of the baby, the position of the placenta can all make a difference to both ttc and pregnancy.

Consultants are so vague and certainly in my case, their opinion differed all the time. I was told I should have a elcs, then I was told I should "try" a natural labour and see what happens. I was told I would need synotcin (sp ?) straight after delivery and then told I wouldn't need one It was a very confusing and worrying time

I swear I was a nervous wreck until 27 weeks, because at least then I thought my dd would have a chance of survival but as I said, all my worrying and fretting wasn't needed in the end

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I had 8 massive fibroids removed..one of them 20cm across..and had my DD a year later

[morningpaper]

[RnR]

GOOD GRIEF!

[RnR]

Jeez Isoldeone sounds like a bit of a mare. Thanks for your words of encouragment and I wish you well too. I will keep posting to add to the info as I go along. Keep in touch and let me know how things go. x

[RnR]

20cm ACROSS!

[Waspie]

Hi RnR - no harm in being nosey! I was given an extra line in my hand and blood was ready in case I lost blood during the birth and the reason for not removing it during the c-sec was because of the potential to bleed out. Registrar said "I hate people dieing on my table". I'm almost totally sure he was joking! I think the issue is the serious amount of blood they absorb/use/hold (?)

I was also told I'd need to be on a syntocin drip for 24 hours post birth, but that was no hassle.

The fibroid didn't grow in size it just went from being grapefruit sized and shaped to being banana shaped as the baby skwished it further up the uterus as he grew.

And may I just say OMG - 20cm!!!! wow!

I didn't have any trouble conceiving either - in fact I was on the pill and DS was a happym but very unexpected, surprise

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Yes, it was huge, I looked about 7 months pregnant but all removed successfully

[RnR]

Morning Waspie What is syntocin? I have found that it is used to induce labour but why then would you need it post birth?

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Syntocin is used to contract the uterus (hence its used in induction) but it helps contract the uterus back up again after the birth so there is less chance of post partum haemorrage

[RnR]

Ah ok, thanks.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

That's one of the plus points really - you are really well monitored and they are ready for any eventuality

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Sorry to hijack - but I meant to ask those who have had fibroids removed, what the procedure involved. I was also told that they would not remove mine until I had finished my family because they were concerned the op would adversely affect my chances of conceiving ... Was anyone else told that ?

[RnR]

FanjoForTheMammaries you wrote

I had 8 massive fibroids removed..one of them 20cm across..and had my DD a year later

How did you find out you had them?

[RnR]

Interesting question, I am keen to see what people say Tillyscoutsmum.