Septate uterus

[twinkle999]

Anyone got any experience of conceiving with this?

GP not concerned or indicating it is an issue as regards fertility but google thinks otherwise.

Ta

[physicskate]

Very very individual. It depends exactly on the anatomy and how septated the uterus is. Many many women have absolutely no problems with this, but some women miscarry recurrently...

It can sometimes be treated with a hysteroscopy, but generally they would want evidence of recurrent miscarriage (which is awful, but often the way it is when seeking many types of women's health treatment - serious evidence and heartache and hardship along the way).

[twinkle999]

Thank you
I am just kind of concerned that the GP brushed over it, but actually it can cause issues!

[physicskate]

But it doesn't in most cases...

Do you have a history of recurrent miscarriages?

How septate is it? Heart shaped or split in two?

[twinkle999]

No - finding it hard to conceive at all is my issue just now.

They didn’t give me any detail - just said it was septate.

[keeponrunning85]

I had a partially bicornuate subseptate (the septum went part of the way down) uterus. After 4 miscarriages my consultant finally agreed to do surgery to correct it as much as possible. (My third miscarriage waa due to a chromosomal problem which is why the consultant wouldn't do the surgery until after a fourth.) I then fell pregnant the first month we started trying post-op and now have a 10 month old.

As physicskate said, lots of people don't have any issue. The evidence to support surgery is limited but fortunately for us it seemed to do the trick. It was a long and painful road to get to that point and I sincerely hope it doesn't cause you any problems.

Out of curiosity how did you find out about it? Mine was picked up when I went to EPAU with my first miscarriage.

[twinkle999]

I am having some general fertility tests and that is the only thing being flagged up so far.

I suppose it sounds like it should be possible to get pregnant regardless, but may cause other issues.

I was worried it might impact on being able to conceive at all.

[blueskysmiling]

I have a complete septate uterus and had no problems conceiving. It was discovered 2 years before quite by accident as I also had a vaginal septum and a banded cervix where it continued into the uterus.

I have 2 children (pregnancies each side!) and both were born at 37+4. I had sweeps with both to induce a slightly earlier labour as they were both good size at that point and I was worried my uterus might rupture if they ran out of space. There was no evidence to suggest this would happen and neither Obstetrician was concerned. Both were vaginal births because neither Obs/Gyn doctors felt a c/s was necessary.

Good luck to you - I hope you have good news and some answers.

[cloudy01]

I'm sorry you're having trouble, but the fact you know you have this condition will help you to get the right care at every step - I'll give you a bit of insight of my experience with a septate uterus, and I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant. Hope it helps...
you should tell every healthcare professional you come into contact with because they are all busy and don't always have time to read the notes! E.g. I told the nurse doing my scan and she did extra scan pictures and an internal scan.

The thing is, most people don't know they have a septate uterus... therefore if you google it you will see some very inflated figures about rate of miscarriage or inability to conceive because they're based on the sample size only including those who know they have the condition... I'm not trying to downplay it but I'd bear that in mind. It's a blessing and a curse knowing you have this condition, because it of course gives you extra worries but also means you'll get extra special care from the prenatal unit (a unit focussed on pregnancies that may result in premature birth) and extra appointments and so on to monitor your condition.
Hope this helps x

[Mash80]

I’ve been diagnosed with a partial septate after an early missed miscarriage, no relation to the miscarriage (as it was early) but I’m feeling so anxious about next steps and the risks. I dont know if I want surgery yet but the fact it’s a bit pot luck (as my gyno said!) makes me feel apprehensive about next steps and jumping back in....nice to hear other stories. No guarantees in this baby business is there....

[blueskysmiling]

@Mash80 No guarantees for anyone, so don't be disheartened by the diagnosis. Knowledge is power, if you use it to get a few more scans and better monitoring. As far as my research went, partial septate is only an issue if the fertisiled egg implants on the septum (as it doesn't have a lining to support growth unlike the uterine walls).

I had steroid injections at 28 & 30 weeks to promote both babies respiratory system development and extra scans to check baby's position and growth.

It's one of those things that many women will have but never know about because they don't encounter any issues. I'll keep everything crossed you don't either.

[Mash80]

Thank you for replying - a really lovely message to get on the day I found out I’m pregnant. Anxiety through the roof but this helped

[blueskysmiling]

I'm so happy for you! Please try to take it really easy - no marathons or rollercoasters till after baby is here.

While things like this probably don't affect your chances, the fact that you're doing all you can to be calm and relaxed should make you feel more so, and more in control. It's just 9 months!!! Let us know if you need anything x

[cloudy01]

Hi all,
Can anyone relate/offer advice...
I'm 17 weeks, just had an appointment at the pre-term clinic because I know from before I have a septate uterus. She's told me that cervix looks fine, no infection, all good. This is 2nd time I've seen her. We asked if we can book a holiday and she said no. I asked why. She said I cannot travel. I asked what that means. She said you should not put yourself under any stress. I left basically feeling pretty annoyed because I don't understand the advice- like, is the advice don't go too far from home in case something happens, or is it, don't put yourself under stress, or is it don't travel... and why...? Anyone got any ideas/answers? Grrr!!

[blueskysmiling]

@cloudy01 I guess she means travel could pose a risk of stress. And you're still at a critical stage.

While I know women have run marathons and carried heavy pots of water for miles across dusty plains, if it's not a necessity to travel, why would you risk it in the remaining months of a pregnancy, if you've been advised not to?

I imagine the ob/gyn is erring on the side of caution, then you are both doing everything possible ensure a good outcome. If this happened not to be the case (and I sincerely hope not), neither you or her could have done anything more.

Wishing you all the best.

[cloudy01]

@blueskysmiling that is very good and sensible advice, thank you.

I was just determined to not 'let pregnancy get in the way' but rather adapt around it so I could carry on life as normally as possible, and it seems like everything is against me doing that at every turn.

Hormones are not helping me to respond rationally to the expert advice either!! Haha.

[Everythingcrossed2021]

Hello, I’ve just come across this thread after being told by a sonographer at my ultrasound (been ttc for 8 months and periods have been heavier so GP referred me for scan) that she suspects I have a subseptate uterus and I will need to be referred to gynae to confirm this. My heart sank! It wasn’t very helpful of her to share this when she wasn’t able to give me any more information about it, but did say it could be a reason why it’s taking a while for us to conceive. So I’m left to do my own research while I wait to discuss results with GP.

So it’s been really helpful to come across this thread. Did anyone hear with this shaped uterus also struggle with conception? Thank you for sharing your experiences X

[Tara8]

@Everythingcrossed2021 just wanted to share that I had a similar experience and got told I had a bicornuate uterus after I had a miscarriage. I was sent home with no info and then ended up manically scouring Google for 3 months whilst waiting for my follow up appointment and scans to confirm and discuss next steps. When I went back to the hospital I was then told I had no signs of a bicornuate uterus whatsoever and all perfectly "normal"?!

[Everythingcrossed2021]

Hi @Tara8 - how confusing for you! Thank you for sharing. I really don’t think they should be giving suspected diagnoses without information and before they can properly confirm it.

[AM17]

Hi all

How did you all get on? I’ve been recently diagnosed with a partial septum following 3 mc within 10 months. The consultant is reluctant to do the surgery and is adamant I have a better chance of ttc without…he said this then sent a letter with low success percentages, which has made me incredibly worried/upset. I’ve had a good look through Tommys website and there’s a few stories on there where the septum has been removed and they’ve gone on to have healthy pregnancies.

[Subseptatettc]

Hi all - thanks for sharing your stories - any updates from those TTC? I was diagnosed with subseptate 4 years ago but didn't start TTC until now. Have done probably days worth of research on the topic, which has been both depressing and relieving in equal measures. Currently in the 2ww for my first TTC cycle attempt but have pretty much no symptoms at 8 DPO so not much hope. I read it takes longer for people with subseptate to conceive due to failed implantation.

[AM17]

Hi @Subseptatettc here’s my honest story…

We’ve had no problem conceiving - all within 3 months of trying. However, I had the septum removed last May after 3 consecutive miscarriages.

We conceived 1st month of trying after coming off meds following surgery but unfortunately miscarried again. We had tests which showed the baby had a chromosomal abnormality. We tried again and fell within 3 months, I’m almost full term and have had the most amazing pregnancy. I’ve been monitored for preterm birth but all was fine so I’ve now been discharged from the clinic and receive regular growth scans because of the number of miscarriages I’ve had.

I hope my story doesn’t scare you. I really struggled to find any information/ stories on septate uterus, therefore feel it’s really important to be honest with you. I do know of someone who successfully conceived without surgery, they had to have a planned c section as baby was breach.

I hope your TTC journey is much simpler than mine. Please feel free to PM if you want to know more x

[Katyhart]

Hi all, just finding this thread now - I don’t think anyone’s posted for a while but hope someone will see this.

I found out at a 6/7 week reassurance scan that I have a uterine abnormality, and paid to see a private consultant who diagnosed a complete separate uterus. From the scan it looks very thick, so not sure how I’d do with surgery.

I’m (hopefully) around 9 and a half weeks now, 12 week scan in 2 and a bit weeks time.

This is my first child. I’m 32 now, and did have two earlier pregnancies about 12 years ago, one of which ended in a MMC at around 10 weeks. Had no idea about the septum then.

I’m just so… sad about what’s coming for me. All the stories I read from other women with this type of abnormality are so devastating. It’s so difficult to keep going, wondering how bad the bad thing that happens will be.

Any positive stories from anyone? Or advice for making it through?

[Subseptatettc]

Hello - I can only share my update which is not overly positive unfortunately but on my journey I have heard from many women with positive stories. I don't think many women with septums have a straight road on their journey but most seem to get there in the end from what I have read.
I got pregnant after 2 cycles, spotted at weeks 8/9, got through my 12 week scan with a visible septum and squished baby in the scan photograph only to begin spotting around 15 weeks and miscarried at 16 weeks. As I was in the second trimester I was allowed the NHS recurrent miscarriage tests. The baby was chromosomal normal. I'm still waiting for the other test results I will receive in 2 months (no idea why they can't tell me before this!)
In the case this does end in miscarriage for you - in some NHS services you need 2 miscarriages under your belt for further investigation, but mostly 3. If this does happen, I would start with your GP and ignore whatever the EPU tell you (mine told me to just TTC again). You're going to have to advocate for yourself, midwife's won't know about septums and everyone will keep calling it bicornuate!
I decided to speak to Rajendra Rai at St Mary's privately (£300) and he has recommended surgery for my partial septum (~£3000+). I have it scheduled for next week! I am very excited. He is the most mentioned UK based surgeon for this surgery, you really do not want your usual hospitals gyno doing the surgery for only the second time in their career. Mr Rai seems to do them weekly!
I found your comment interesting as I never thought about it this way before! "How bad the bad thing that happens will be". Since my miscarriage (was quite traumatic at home as I didn't make my surgical management date due to bank holidays) I have been speaking to a therapist which helps to reframe thoughts like this. I would definitely recommend as this will be a difficult time.
The best source of information (to caveat that, also my biggest source of anxiety) has been the Facebook group 'septate uterus support group' - I suggest having a poke around at the positive stories (use the search function) and then logging out and only going there if you have a question you need a quick answer to as doctors take ages! Don't start worrying about something that hasn't yet happened to you or your pregnancy - I know this is harder done than said.
Good luck!

[Katyhart]

Thanks, this is all helpful, particularly the info about surgery costs.

If this does end in miscarriage, I think I’d also want to pursue paying for surgery privately if surgery was an option for me.

I’ve heard this consultant mentioned elsewhere, yes - I’m not based in London, but think I’d look at having the surgery done in London, with someone with this much experience.

I’m fortunate to have been seeing the same therapist weekly for a while, pre-septum revelation. I think, to be honest, I’m in a kind of shock/ pre-emptive grief period and finding a bit difficult not to drown in this, so haven’t quite got to working through the negative thinking.

I’m in the Facebook group and have used the search to unearth some positive stories yes! It’s helpful, but a source of anxiety definitely. Very true on logging out once I’ve asked a question/ searched instead of just spending nights trawling through the posts. (Again haven’t quite got there yet!)

Best of luck with your surgery, it’s great news.