fibroids and pregnancy - share your experience please

[sidorek]

Just as I was scheduled for operation to remove my fibroid, I discoved that I was pregnant. My GP assured me, that although my fibroid is huge (16cm by 12 by 10) it is not going to interfere with pregnancy. She warned me that as the baby will grow, the fibroid will shrink, but it may be painful process! Now I am 9weeks+2, my bump is already showing for a last 4 weeks. I am going to meet my midwife later this week, but I would like to hear your stories about it, as I am really not sure what to expect... thank you

I've never suffered with fibroids pre-pg but this time (#4) they found a pretty hefty one at a 7wk scan which they had not found at a 5 wk scan. Totally insensitive MW said I'd probably have to have a hysterectomy after delivery

Anyhow, now 22 wks and at both 12 wk & 21 wk scan there was nothing to be seen and I felt not a jot in terms of it shrinking.

I've heard it can be very painful but I thought you might appreciate hearing my story!

I have a number of fibroids (about egg size) apparently they can affect the pregnancy depending on where there are (inside like a fruitbasket, or within the muscles).
have 2 dc and had a pph with the first which might be related to the fibroids, but no extra blood loss with dc2.
mine didn't change size and didn't cause pain during pregnancy, but they bother me when not pregnant (dull pain just before AF)

I had a baby last summer and in my 12 weeks scan they found a fibroid measuring 10x9x8cm and blocking the cervix.
They were quite suprised I didnt know about it before but it had never caused me any pain.
It stayed there all through my pregnancy and only got smaller by 1 cm.

I was told throughout my pregnancy that I would probably end up having a c-section. So completely prepared myself for this, even to the extent of missing my pain relief/labour antenatal class!
I was offered a 36 week scan and during this they saw it had moved and I now had to have a vaginal birth.
Everything was fine but I did loose quite alot of blood (1ltr) which isapparently quite common with women with large fibroids.

During my pregnancy I did suffer from fibroid degeneration (the "shrinking" that your GP is talking about) which lasted 2 weeks. It was painful but I put off going to the hospital for a week. Wish I hadnt though because as soon as I had their painkillers I felt a million times better!
The Drs said that if this is going to happen its more likely during weeks 20-28 of your pregnancy. However, research on the net shows that it can happen any time from 12 weeks. The hospital also said that 50% of women experiencing fibroid degeneration will end up in a&e!
Hope that doesnt scare you but just go to the hospital if you get any pain!

Afterwards the Drs said they wouldnt do anything about the fibroid as it had never caused me any problems before and it wasnt difficult for me to conceive

I am 7+2 with my second pregnancy now!

I had several large fibroids during my pregnancy with DD1, which were only discovered when the surgeon who was doing my emcs said, "hmmm...did you know you have some massive fibroids in there?" Er, no! So they didn't affect my pregnancy at all, and had apparently all vanished by the time I fell pg with dd2. (13 mo later.)

Don't think they had anything to do with emcs either btw! That was just the usual induced, spiral of intervention, failure to progress story!

I had large fibroid which was discovered on private scan but on none of the NHS scans. It meant that I needed an actively managed third stage as I was at high risk of Post partum haemorrhage. In the end was all okay and did have vaginal delivery as it did not block in any way. I would make sure that it is clear in your notes/birth plan that you have a large fibroid and hence may be at increased risk of PPH (not all NHS staff I dealt with seemed to be aware of this, I needed a letter from private consultant before midwife unit started taking any notice!).

I have fibroids, found out last year, after I found a little lump on my cervix. I was told I had several in the wall of my uterus. I was told they were the reason I had terrible heavy periods and pain. But they said as I was trying for a baby that they wouldnt do anything with them.

I ended up having a period bleed for 41 days! Had to have medication to stop it, this was put down to fibroids. I then fell pregnant after 15 months of trying.

When I went for my 12 week scan the sonographer told me my fibroids had grown, I had one on each side of the womb and several others dotted around. She couldnt beleive how many I had considering I was only 29. At my 20 weeks scan the sonographer didnt mention them, said that sometimes they are hard to find when you are not looking for them, and also she wasnt looking for them but looking at the health of the baby. Yeah ok!

Two weeks later went through red-degeneration, the most pain I have ever felt, had to take co-codomol to ease the pain, for about a week I was crippled couldnt walk properly, the only thing that helped was my gym ball.

Since then I have been to the consultant twice, he doesnt seem to concerned but has said that the fibroids could stop the baby turning into the right position, so could end up with a c-section. Also fibroids can make the fundus measurments appear big, I am measuring 5 weeks over! I am going for a growth scan in three weeks time, with a consultant appointment afterwards. They will discuss where the fibroids are and if they will impact on the birth.

I can feel one of them in my lower right side, my baby hasnt moved really, they say its breech but they dont know as the fibroids make it hard for them to feel where the baby is positioned.

Yeah I agree with pass posts make sure its put in your notes and that tell everyone who gives you care during your pregnancy.

Good luck and I hopr you dont have to go through red-degeneration!