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Conception

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Original poster

retroverted womb - is it a problem? does it change the 2ww?

16 replies

queenie1 · 28/10/2008 16:23

Wondering if anyone might know anything about a retroverted womb. Was recently told I had one when having a pelvic scan as part of various recurrent miscarriage tests I'm having.

The person doing the scan wasn't particularly helpful and I'm not seeing the consultant for another month or so until all my blood tests have come back.

I've got so many questions which are driving me mad. Like, does it affect fertility? Are your chances of miscarriage higher?

Also we were encouraged by the consultant to keep ttc while waiting to hear from him and I'm now on the dreaded two week wait (AGAIN!). I was wondering whether having a retroverted womb would mean things were a bit different. In particular, would implantation cramps feel different (given that uterus is in a different place)!?!

Sorry for all these questions - I'm just anxious and obsessing about two week wait!!

x

OP posts:
harpomarx · 28/10/2008 16:26

I found out I had one at a smear test. I am not aware of any particular problems in relation to having one but have never had cause to look into it. I understand it's fairly common so it seems unlikely to be a major issue.

maretta · 28/10/2008 16:28

I don't know the answers to your questions but I do know I have one of these and I have never had any problems.

Have you tried just googling retroverted uterus.

Hope you do find some answers to your problems anyhow. Good luck,

TotalChaos · 28/10/2008 16:34

I also found out I had one at a smear test, and never had any problems. My mum has one too, and felt her labour with me as backache primarily, so it's not impossible you might feel period type pains somewhere different.

Original poster
queenie1 · 28/10/2008 16:55

I have tried googling it but (as ever) answers are contradictory to say the least. Some things imply I'd need surgery (!), others say no problem. So just wondering about other people's experiences.

Thinking about my own feelings and sensations down there, I do always get a sharp pain in my lower back just before a period comes. Maybe implantation cramps would also happen there too?

But good to hear you've all had no problems with it. Fingers crossed its not connected to my recent troubles ttc.

OP posts:
insywinsyspider · 28/10/2008 20:28

I've just found out I have one and have 2 ds's (2.5 yrs and 10 months) and pg with no 3 so there can't always be an associated impact on fertility. (although as a side note I don't have periods but I think thats my 'normal' and docs no longer concerned as I have ds's and whenever I have blood tests hormal levels are in normal ranges...)

Mine was found when I went to have a coil fitted, was told that a I had a retroverted uterus and that meant my cervix was high up and long way back (?!) I couldn't have coil fitted at docs and should have gone to fam planning clinic for 'assessment' - needless to say I didn't bother as too close after having ds2 and have been examined enough.... hence dc3 (although v v much wanted)

Nurse did say it would have affected labour - I did get back ache type contractions and I take ages to push my babies out (2.5 hrs first time and just over hour second time) she said I have more of a 'u bend'

My mum as one too and no probs - she fell pg easier than I did (15 mo between me and my bro)

hope you get all the answers from your consultant and it puts your mind at rest x x

seaside72 · 28/10/2008 20:39

Ohhh how interesting insy - I have one too (a retroverted uterus that is ) also found out at a smear. Have one DS (9 months) who took just under 2 years of TTC and although I do not think it really affected the TTC (more to do with my old ovaries I think!) I had a great labour, not too much back pain, but the pushing part did not work at all. So after 3 hours fully dilated and pushing on and off needed ventouse, episiotomy and lots of help! Maybe my backward uterus is to blame - it certainly felt like I was trying to push him out of a u-bend

ClaireDeLoon · 28/10/2008 20:45

I have one, found out at smear same as most here. Nurse said when ttc try for deep penetration and tilt your pelvis after sex. So bum on a pillow.

seaside72 · 28/10/2008 20:46

Sorry queenie, I just posted without referring to OP - very rude . I am so sorry for your miscarriages
I did have quite a few consultations while TTC with GPs and a specialist (re fertility and assisted conception) and none of them expressed concern about my uterus so I am sure it will not cause you a problem. fingers crossed for a sticky BFP for you soon

castlesintheair · 28/10/2008 20:55

I have a retroverted uterus. Was told by one gynae it's like being left handed as opposed to right and, no, not a problem with ttc or m/c. I have 3 DCs but have also had 4 m/cs. Was told during final m/c that it was probably due to my bicornate (sp? heart shaped) uterus. So, I guess mechanics can play a role. Good luck.

hatcam · 28/10/2008 21:01

Sorry to hear about your problems.

I have a retroverted womb, took me nearly 2 years to get pg first time around (with no explanation and no-one EVER mentioned the retroverted womb issue) and second time just half a bottle of red wine. (cheap date ).

First labour 8h, a lot of back pain but short pushing stage.

Second labour 1h. 1 min pushing. No back pain.

Lots of luck, no point saying try not to obsess as we all know that you will, but lots of luck all the same!

Original poster
queenie1 · 28/10/2008 21:13

thanks for all your replies. all really useful and encouraging.

x

OP posts:
funtimewincies · 31/10/2008 12:58

Just to add that I also have a retroverted uterus and have had recurrent miscarriages BUT the two aren't connected. Some women's also tilt forwards.

It has no known impact on fertility or on your chances of having a miscarriage. A pregnancy prgressing normally will cause the uterus to tilt into a more 'normal' position before 12 weeks. The only time you're likely to notice it is during sex, when you can get a bit of an 'ouch' at certain times of the month (ovulation time for me - great ) when the cervix is in a lower position, especially if your partner is v. excited of well-endowed .

Hope that you get somewhere with the tests, I've just been referred so are a long way behind you, good luck.

maretta · 31/10/2008 13:06

I can also add that the second stage of all 3 of my labours have been well under 10 minutes, so it doesn't necessarily cause problems in that department either.

insywinsyspider · 31/10/2008 20:47

at 2nd stage being 10 mins! I was quite happily blaming that I my uterus guess I'm back to being inefficient at pushing as my midwife said to me 2 hours into the 2nd stage of my first labour

frazzledoldbag34 · 31/10/2008 20:54

HI. Mine is retroverted. I have 2 DD's (both conceived immediately we started trying) and am pg with DC3 (conceived after 2 wks of trying) so obviously no impact on conception. Usually the doc comments on it when I have a scan - just means that early pg is harder to see on scan until the uterus moves forward and upward into a more normal positon. No obvious impact on labour either - had 2 normal deliveries and no back pain. Obviously everybody is different but certainly from my experience it is of no consequence.
Best of luck!

frazzledoldbag34 · 31/10/2008 20:55

OH and meant to say, so sorry to hear about your history of miscarriage. Fingers crossed for you in the future.

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