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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Fibroids and pregnancy

22 replies

MrsAquaman · 11/12/2019 14:56

I've had some light bleeding at 7 weeks pregnant. I went for an early scan and they've told me I have a fibroid in my uterus. I don't know what this means for my baby. The only thing the doctor said was that I would probably have to have a c-section and wants to scan me again in a few weeks. Please help reassure me with your stories and experience! Can anyone help me understand it?

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MrsH0911 · 11/12/2019 15:43

This doesn't really answer your question i'm afraid but just to share my experience so far. I had a small bleed at 6 weeks, nothing picked up on early scan at EPU, then at my 12 week scan the sonographer told me I had a fibroid in my uterus and was surprised I hadn't been told about it at my early scan. She reassured me and said they are extremely common and I have nothing to worry about, and if anything I would get some extra scans out of it just to check for growth. From my research you would only need a c-section if the fibroid is low down and blocking the babies exit, she showed me that mine was high up and nowhere near the baby. I have my 16 week appointment next week and plan to ask the midwife about it just to double check but the 3 people I had contact with at my 12 week scan appointment had no concerns!

JumpedOverTheMoon · 11/12/2019 16:46

Oh that reassuring. Yes she said a few times it's not near the baby so I assumed that was a good thing. Just felt a bit left hanging really and only thought of questions after I had left. Now I have loads and have to wait 2 weeks to ask them.

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MrsAquaman · 11/12/2019 16:48

Hmmm. My name change didn't work on the app, that's annoying! ^that was me!

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IScreamForIceCreams · 11/12/2019 16:59

I have about 5 fibroids - inside and outside of uturus. They didn't cause any real problems during pregancy - one was high up under my ribs and it was visible in later stages of pregnancy (midwife said "oh look a foot", ehmm no!). They also caused contractions at 25wks, but stopped after a day (I was admitted to hospital). Apart from more scans during (and after pregnancy to check they'd shrunk again) had normal delivery, despite also being told I'd be having c-section. That was canned as another consultant thought it too risky as they could potentially cut through fibroids and cause severe bloodloss. Saying that, after giving birth and my uturus didn't close and had to have some help with that as I was bleeding a fair bit. So make sure you are well informed as they can be a bit of a bugger!

Greyhound22 · 11/12/2019 17:02

I had numerous large fibroids that were discovered when I was pregnant with DS. I was already booked in for a CS but would have had to have one with these as they were in stupid places. Had absolutely no problem with them in pregnancy and DS was born via CS no problems.

Monitor them after the birth though. I started to bleed really heavily and it wasn't taken seriously. I was pumped full of hormones until I had a blood clot. After collapsing a couple of times and having to have a number of blood transfusions I finally had a hysterectomy a couple of weeks back. This isn't to scare you they may never cause you a problem again but if they do push for a referral. They can be removed.

Original poster

MrsAquaman · 11/12/2019 17:11

Ok thanks. I'd read on Dr Google (I know bad idea!) That it could cause problems with development, did any of you ever get told this? I'm annoyed because I've had many (many many many) scans and tests over the past 12-18months for random bleeding and this wasn't picked up which I don't really understand as it probably what has been causing it. But they might not have treated it anyway so suppose it might not have made any difference.

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IScreamForIceCreams · 11/12/2019 20:11

Nah my baby was fine, small-ish at 5lbs14oz but that was because she is just slight! The midwife joked "ah it's because there is no space left in you because of your fibroids!". It was just drivel! Fibroids grew because of hormones, not because they fed of the umbilical cord ;-))

Rubyroost · 11/12/2019 20:22

It all depends how big they are. I've got some apparently, but then they shrink and they can't see them on scans. They don't normally cause issues unless they're really really big

Stephminx · 11/12/2019 20:24

I had a very large fibroid (over 10 x 5) - only discovered in pregnancy. I got lots scans to make sure it didn’t impact the baby’s growth. It didn’t. My first was a month early but I was told not necessarily due to fibroids.

I saw a private consultant afterwards as I was told some rubbish by my (to be fair junior) nhs doctor. Due to increased blood flow to the area, they will appear, or if pre-existing grow in size during pregnancy but after the birth they will shrink again. They will cause you to bleed more in labour so it’s recommended you have an injection after birth of something or other to help the uterus contract back down. You’ll need a section if it’s in the way of the exit route. Possibly induction if it affects growth. Other than that you should be ok, just get lots of extra scans.

My second pregnancy meant they grew again but also shrunk afterwards.

I’m now left with mega heavy (ie soaking super plus tampax in an hour) periods but they are now really regular when they werent before. I was advised to leave them unless they cause an issue. Removal drugs are supposedly not that effective and surgery carries risks including hysterectomy in worst case do not recommended for those of child bearing she unless they bother you.

Stephminx · 11/12/2019 20:25

Ps my second was 10 lbs plus so didn’t stop her growth at all !

R2D2abc · 11/12/2019 20:29

Had one large one my previous pregnancy. Was spotted at an early scan that I did due to so much back pain. I also had spotting here and there.
At 12 weeks was still there and grew, mine was on the top of the uterus.

At 16 weeks I think it shrinked and couldn't be seen from then on.

It's difficult for your doctor to say anything about c-section so early on, lots can happen. First, your fibroid can shrink, then if it's not blocking the birth canal or is too near to it,there is no problem in giving birth vaginally.

Hope all goes well, but be assured that they're so common.

Pipandmum · 11/12/2019 20:32

I have fibroids and didn't affect either baby. I haven't had problem with them since so maybe they weren't that big.

cliffdiver · 11/12/2019 20:42

I have multiple uterine fibroids.

Both pregnancies (DDs are now 5 and 8) were unproblematic.

No growth problems (7lb2 and 7lb1), I had 2 extra monitoring scans (28 and 34 weeks iirc).

I was told that I would need to give birth in hospital (no home birth / MW led centre) and would need to have the syntocinon injection.

Original poster

MrsAquaman · 11/12/2019 20:46

Thank you everyone, you've put my mind at rest. Any suggestions for questions I should be asking at my next scan/appointment? Or just see what they say?

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bee222 · 11/12/2019 20:57

I have 2 fibroids - one inside and one outside my uterus. The consultant I spoke to said that they shouldn't cause a problem and they are not worried about them. I think it's only a problem if they are blocking your cervix or are causing you pain.
They are very common and most women don't even know they have them. I had no idea until I had a scan.

williteverhappen · 12/12/2019 04:43

Hello,

Its reassuring to hear that there are some positive stories out there. I am also concerned, I have multiple fibroids the largest being just under 5cm at the top of my uterus. I'm having a 12 week scan today and scared that they would have grown. I'm hoping that they arent going to cause any problems as this is my first pregnancy after a number of losses.

Original poster

MrsAquaman · 12/12/2019 05:02

Awww williteverhappen I hope your scan goes well, I'm sorry to hear about your struggle so far, fingers crossed this one is good news!

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williteverhappen · 12/12/2019 08:16

@MrsAquaman, thank you!

Stephminx · 13/12/2019 04:46

@williteverhappen

One of mine was over 10 x 5 and it was fine both times. Try not to worry too much.

For ages I was rubbing a foot through my bump and it was forever sticking out... turns out it was my fibroid (whom I named Fred). Still at least he was probably nice and chilled in there.

Good luck all. Fingers crossed for you.

williteverhappen · 13/12/2019 05:30

@ Stephminx thank you so much for the encouragement x I had my 12 week scan yesterday and baby is doing well so far measuring 12+2 so I got some relief from that. Its good to know that you were fine with your fibroids. I like the idea of naming it! Did you find that you had more pain because of it?

Stephminx · 13/12/2019 07:18

@williteverhappen

Nope - I think I was aware of him as I kept rubbing the “foot” I thought he was, but it didn’t hurt.

He was spotted quite late in my first pregnancy but was a visible bump on my bump from the outside as he was so big (if that makes sense). He had been there a while just so one seemed to mention it. The sonography was horrified no one had when she told me as he’d obviously been there a while.

My second baby was over 10 lbs and my first would have been up there had she not been so early.

Bit more blood loss at birth and now I have mega heavy periods from it. No real impact.

williteverhappen · 14/12/2019 03:33

@Stephminx, thanks for the info. Its good to hear what others have gone through. Its quite odd that they didnt mention it to you earlier but I suppose they must not have been particularly concerned about it which is reassuring. I am feeling much better about mine now. My scan showed that the largest one hasn't grown since my last scan so I'm pleased by that. I have my official dating scan on Tuesday so I'll see how I get on. Thanks so much xx

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