Pregnant with Fibroids?

[Mechavivzilla]

Hello all! I am pregnant with my first after 18months TTC with REALLY irregular periods. So delighted to have my BFP on December 10th. Have had an ultrasound yesterday to try and date this pregnancy, as I had been really very irregular. Had I gone by my last AF I would be 18 weeks! However as I suspected I was dated at around 5+4. Tiny little gestational sac with nothing really to see, which I understand is totally normal. However, they have also found a 5 by 6 cm fibroid in my uterine wall!! I knew I had a little one, I was scanned for PCOS in May as part of ongoing infertility treatment, but it was 1 by 1 3/4 cm then. That seems huge, and a massive increase! I am booked in for another scan on Jan 10th, and have my first midwife appointment on the 28th Dec, but I am really worried about this fibroid and how it will effect this much wanted pregnancy. Anyone have any advice/stories/resources? Thank you.

Can't give specific advice but I had a fibroid discovered a couple of years back (IIRC I think it was 8cm in diameter which they said was small at the time!). I'm 40wks today with my first and it's caused no problems whatsoever. I've also had cysts at various points in my life (I too have PCOS) and I know these can change in size at different points in your cycle dependant on your hormones so fibroids might be the same?? I think I heard somewhere that it depends where in your uterus the fibroid is as to the impact it has on you but don't quote me on that. Sorry, probably haven't been much help but didn't want to not respond x

I have a 5cm subsurosal (prob spelt wrong) meann

meaning on the outside. I had some pain in it which triggered contractions at 31 weeks but otherwise OK. No-one seems very worried about it, it hasnt stopped me having homebirth or raised risk (well apart from when I thought I was going into prem labour!) The baby seemingly implanted the other side of uterus - probably not coincidence.

I had fibroids in my first pregnancy. The largest was about the size of a lemon (9cm x 8cm x 6cm or something like that), and there were other smaller (but still reasonably sizeable) ones. I didn't even realise that I had them until my 12-week scan and they stayed about that size at subsequent 23 and 28 week scans.

Had I not been told, I would never have known about them - they caused me no issues whatsoever during the pregnancy and my DS was a very healthy 8lb 1oz. I had a very big bump, which might have had something to do with them, but I'm speculating.

I'm on pregnancy two now, and have no fibroids - the ones I had with DS must have been fuelled by hormones and have obviously shrunk back when I wasn't pregnant.

I think that they are pretty common, OP and wouldn't worry too much at all.

Do you know where they are? Obviously it is better if they are high up and out of the way of the birth canal.

They found one at my 20 week scan, but said that they normally stretch with the uterus and break up over the coming weeks, although there's a small chance it will just stay put. But they were very clear that it was nothing to be concerned about, although if it stayed put there was a chance it may cause some pain, but nothing to worry about.

I was also told that the likelihood of having a fibroid increases with your age - the older you are, the more likely you are to have one (or two or three :) )

I have a fibroid. It was picked up in my first pregnancy and was 5cm in diameter at 12 week scan. It wasn't even mentioned at 20 week scan so presume it hadn't grown or been causing a worry. It never caused any problems, pregnancy and birth were fine. Exactly the same with second pregnancy.
This time it was again spotted on an early scan (6 weeks) when I'd had some bleeding, it was 4cm in diameter and they suggested it may have been causing the bleeding and also the cramps I've been getting on and off but I don't know?
I think they can be a problem if they continue to grow a lot, if they break down (apparently very painful) or if they obstruct the cervix. But they are pretty common and usually cause no issues.

Thanks everyone. I am having a little first-time-mum freak out! The Doctor who scanned me seemed really surprised at the size of it, and when I asked if it would cause problems her response was "I don't really know, you might have to be monitored at the hospital". Also a but down today because they have moved my midwife appointment back 3 weeks as I am not pregnant enough! I feel like I have had a bit of a bombshell dropped on me, then been left to stew for a bit :( Still, if they were concerned I am sure they would see me more often, right?

Yes, midwife appointments are few and far between in the first few months which I found slightly disconcerting as a first-timer, especially if you've been TTC for a while.

Who did your scan, was it a sonographer at the hospital? And did they add it to your notes? My sonographer said my midwive/consultant would want to know about it but it was unlikely that they would be concerned.

It's very unfair of them to leave you with such a non-committal answer, without a 'next step'. If they were worried, I'm sure they would have set up another appointment there and then, but if you are still feeling unsettled by it, you can always give the midwife a call to check.

Thanks everyone. I know there is a whole range of human experience out there and that statistics mean nothing to the individual, but it is great to read positive stories.

My scan was done at our GP who have a midwife clinic attached. I am not sure if it was added to my notes, was a bit shell shocked and did not pay much attention! I will certainly raise it with my midwife when I see her.

Just to add another perspective, I have 2 fibroids both around 5 cm in diameter, and I'm currently 22 weeks pg. The midwives I've seen so far weren't remotely concerned about them, but when I met with the consultant at 16 weeks she did raise one issue. The only problem for me is one of mine is very close to the cervix. The docs still aren't at all worried about it causing any probs during pregnancy (I have no extra monitoring in place) but they do want me to come in for a scan at 36 weeks. If the lower fibroid hasn't moved out of the way by 36 weeks they're going to book me in for a cs, because otherwise it'll get in the way of the birth. If it moves as my uterus stretches though I'll be able to have a vb.

I hope this will come across as a positive story to you, simply because the docs have looked into my fibroids (same size as your one) very thoroughly and they're not remotely concerned about it causing any probs during the pregnancy. They're not treating them as a big deal at all, it's just a logistical concern for the birth and that's only because of the positioning of my lower one. Hopefully yours is higher?

hi, I have massive fibroid on the top of my womb - 22 by 16 by 18 cm (and no, this is not mm!) and 3 other smaller ones. They all grew during pregnancy. At the beginning,I had no problems with them, but later I had red degeneration, which was an agony:(. Both times admitted to hospital for pain management (morphine and codeine). I also suffered chronic lower pain and fatigue because of them. I was literally housebound, as I could not walk much, as the movement would aggravate them ans as a result I would be in pain. I huge as well. But on the bright side, the experience made the labour a piffle! no pain matches the one during degeneration. And the baby is fine:)
so it is no problem as such, but it may make your pregnancy a bit of a pain.

It is good to put it all into perspective! I do feel really bloated and uncomfortable, even though I am only 7 weeks or so gone. I wonder if Fergie the fibroid is partially to blame? I do feel really reassured after reading these posts. Will do my best to chill out, look after myself and not freak out too much til my scan on the 10th. Maybe come along with a big list of questions though :D

I'm just going to bran dump what I know to help you with your questions. It may sound pretty negative but most of the points are theoretical/rare occurences or can occur in "regular" pregnancies for different or random reasons anyway.
Location of fibroids vs where fertilised egg implants - if on or near a fibroid site then proper growth of placenta can be compromised leading to pregnancy loss usually in first 12wks, or fertilised egg can establish implantation at a non-ideal site (as can happen in any pregnancy randomly).
Growth of fibroid in response to pregnancy hormones - can increase rapidly in size so you measure large for dates, have an odd shaped bump, if fibroids are in front you won't feel movements as well (as with an anterior placenta). These are not problems as such, altho in labour position of fibroids can interfere with fetal monitoring which could cause concern if there are other things going on requiring the monitoring - a fetal scalp monitor can be used instead tho. The main problem is fibroid degeneration when the fibroid doesn't get enough blood supply as the baby competes & wins for it! Parts of the fibroid tissue can die off & release toxins which is incredibly painful & can trigger early labour - so if you experience any intense pains at any time get to hospital for checking.
Very large fibroids can result in baby not being able to get into the ideal position for birth so same possible outcomes as for "naturally occuring" posterior etc babies. Fibroids near cervix can contra-indicate vaginal delivery but the lower segment of the uterus grows rapidly in later weeks of pregnancy so often the fibroid will be moved out of the way.
Fibroids can possibly contribute to ineffective contractions as they are lumps of rubbish tissue which don't help with the muscular efforts of the contractions. Longer labour, assisted delivery, augmentation may be associated with this but very hard to definitely say it would be entirely down to fibroids. The uterus may get worn out after delivery & unable to effectively expel placenta (uterine atony) or large fibroids may physically prevent easy placenta delivery resulting in need for manual removal.

Presence of fibroids may impede contraction of blood vessels after delivery & thus slightly raise risk of a bleed (similarly to why women often have heavy periods as a fibroid symptom). Extra monitoring may be needed or a use of a syntocinon drip to encourage uterine contraction post-birth may be recommended. Blood matching may be done as a precaution.
If having a c-section position of fibroids may impact type & location of incision - rarely a vertical incision may be needed or incision in a different part of the uterus which carries different risk of future uterine rupture in future pregnancies than the low risk regular cut.
Breastfeeding is encouraged to further contract down the uterus after birth & the hormones released will help shrink the fibroids down too.