Fibroid pain in early pregnancy

[Turtle79]

Hello.

I guess I'm reaching out for some support or creating a space for talk - Is anyone dealing with fibroids in pregnancy or has stories to tell (good news one would be great!). I'm 10weeks and had an early scan last week as I looked further along... I wasn't, but the bulge is a massive fibroid. I don't know much about it, I was kinda shocked and didn't ask great questions and they hurried me out to get a new appointment for 12weeks. I do know that it's quite high up and that it's causing alot of pain. I've been prescribed paracetamol and codine for when it's really bad. Add on to that the nausea and extreme tiredness and I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself!! I'm also 41, will be 42 when baby arrives, and this is my first, so I feel quite anxious about the whole thing.

So that's me, I'd love to hear from others about their experiences either current or past x

I had a large fibroid removed before ttc but my consultant did say that they can get painful during pregnancy because the blood supply is diverted to the uterus/baby effectively killing it off (think heart attack but for the fibroid).

Did they say how big it is exactly OP? I don't think it's considered large unless over 10cm diameter, let alone massive. Whether they hurt or not depends completely on where they are - it's basically if they're squishing anything that might cause pain.

I assume if you've been prescribed painkillers that your GP/midwife knows about the pain? If so, then so long as it doesn't get to exruciating level (could then be red degeneration which Haiyaa is talking about, but that's like the worst pain ever) I think best idea is to try and make it to your 12 week scan where they'll give you proper info about where exactly it is and what size etc.

They don't tend to grow much after the first trimester, so hopefully it won't get any bigger!

I was found to have a fibroid during my first pregnancy and it had grown more with my second. It gave me some pretty sharp right lower abdo pain from time to time, but both pregnancies were full term and healthy. Both c-sections, but that was the size of my babies versus the size of my pelvis, nothing to do with the fibroid!

To put your mind at rest, OP: I had a whole load of fibroids in my pregnancy, and I remember getting pain early on, like you. My consultant reassured me that as the baby grows, the blood supply to the fibroids gets cut off and they shrink/die and become less painful. And that is exactly what happened! Can I just add that I was also 41 at the time and the pregnancy went well. When I had my second baby (at age 42! ) I had no fibroid symptoms whatsoever....

Hi, I am currently 18wks with a 9.5cm fibroid, at 8wks it was top middle of my womb and now with stretching it is at the top left. Mine was discovered at 8wks as I started with very intense pain, when I saw the GP they sent me to A&E and then I had a scan the next day. The next 8 days I was on horrendous pain but since then I have only had minor niggles 🙂 I will be consultant led now due to the fibroid and will have extra scans (for babies growth) as the fibroid makes my womb bigger so the tape wouldn't be as accurate. Due to the fibroid being at the top I have been told that a natural birth will be possible but I am at increased risk of bleeding. I will know more when I have my 20wk scan next week and see my consultant in April.

Like you, I have also suffered with nausea and tiredness and I am only now starting to feel normal again and start enjoying foods 😂

I am glad to see others experiences of fibroids and it is a relief to see positives!

12x13x9cm fibroid here! I haven't any pain that I could link back to the fibroid, but I just had heartburn really early on, i.e. just as my morning sickness subsided. It sits under the stomach like you OP, in the morning I have a lobsided bump, baby sits bottom right hand corner, I haven't felt any movement at all on my left hand side, he does all the wriggling and kicking on the right. Currently midwife led still but will be speaking to obstetrician week after next!

I had two large fibroids in my first pregnancy which continued to grow throughout. I was given medication through a drip whilst in labour due to the risk of haemorrhage. When pregnant with my second they could only find one small fibroid. No medication needed. Now on my third and they couldn't find any which is great as the pain they caused was awful!

Thanks everyone for your replies! Funauntienowmummytobe - glad to hear that you're starting to feel normal again, and in less pain. I too had to go into A&E with the pain, the day after they found it on the scan, the pain became excruciating for a while but now is more dull and constant with lovely night-time bouts of soreness. I'm glad it seems to be in a position that will allow a natural birth for you.
FeistySheep - I'm not certain exactly how big the fibroid is, but I estimate the size of gala melon from how it looks and feels... i first noticed it at tennis ball size and it's been growing and growing, good to hear that it should stop growing after the first trimester though!
Catlady21 - so pleased to hear yours have gone now :) I was told they would need to remove mine after baby is born, but I'd be happier if it shrunk by itself!
So thanks ladies, your tales have sure made me feel easier about everything. I'd love to hear your updates as we progress xx

I have a friend that had a smaller fibroid in pregnancy, it stropped growing at 5cm anf hers was lower in the womb, she had a dull pain throughout her pregnancy but said she didn't need anything for the pain, after pregnancy hers shrunk back down and doesn't cause her any issues now.

I also joined a Facebook group, it is full.of women that suffer with their fibroids whilst not pregnant but there are a few that start posts about them in pregnancy and a few said that when they were scanned weeks after birth, I think around 9wks, tbat their fibroids also shrunk on their own due to post pregnancy hormones and breastfeeding so that's what I am really hoping for! I didn't have any of the symptoms pre pregnancy so hoping to be fine after too! Hope we will all have a smooth time going forward 🤞