Large ovarian cyst, 20 weeks pregnant, worried.

[Anna54321]

Hi all
This is turning out to be a rough pregnancy! Any experiences or thoughts/advice are welcomed!

Background.... I'm 39, NHS combined screen came back high rish, but NIPT
results were all low risk. Spoke with fetal medicine consultant, had indepth scan. All looked fine and my initial results seemed to be due to my age and low Papp-a.

I'm taking daily asprin for the low Papp-a.

Just had my 20 week scan. Baby all well, measurements all average and no concerns. Placenta seems fine also.
But shock result of a 7cm ovarian cyst :( A few years ago, before I was pregnant the first time, I had a 15cm cyst.. No symptoms, but was found by accident on a scan for something else... I had key hole surgery to drain it. All went well and it didn't re-occur during the pregnancy a year later. And no subsequent issues...

Until now!!
I've been so anxious this pregnancy, so relieved all was well with baby at this scan. And then shocked and saddened by the cyst news. I have an appointment with a consultant in a few days time (this was for the low Papp-a, but cyst to be discussed also).

Just wondering if anyone else had a large cyst during pregnancy? I'm terrified of needing emergency surgery for a rupture, or that the cyst prevents the baby growing properly. Will the cyst keep growing?! I had a traumatic birth last time, and so now I'm worried this will cause issues during birth, and whether I need to opt for c section (i had forceps delivery after a long painful labour).

Sorry for the long post. Any thoughts/experiences welcome, or any thing I should bring up with the consultant to ensure it's discussed?

Thank you so much.

I think you'll be fine but ask at your appointment. I have a 7cm ovarian cyst and doctor has no concerns about me getting pregnant with it (waiting for gynecology referral but it could be up to a year)

Thanks @ZoeQ90 . That's really reassuring from your doctor. And many good wishes to you.

I had one. Had no idea it was there until 1st scan. It was massive. I didn't feel much pain and they scanned me loads the whole pregnancy, to see if it was getting bigger. It didn't. I had an oopherectomy and a planned c section together at 39 weeks. It was a planned oopherectomy he just said it was too big and enmeshed with the ovary to save. I worried the whole pregnancy but it was fine.

Thanks @Worriedpanda50 for your message. For the c section and oopherectomy, was it under local anesthetic, so you could hold your baby straight away? Or did you need to be under general anesthetic? What was your recovery time like, if you don't mind me asking.

I had an 8cm cyst with my DD and she was absolutely fine. I had one extra growth scan to just make sure it wasn't impacting her growth and was told to be aware of symptoms of it rupturing/torting but it never did. Had a natural birth. No complications.

Oh wow, that's great to hear @Oneforposy7 . This whole pregnancy feels so different and causing so much anxiety compared to the last one. I'm so happy to hear your positive story!

I had (have) a 12 cm cyst, no issues in pregnancy

I had a 7cm cyst discovered during a miscarriage and was going to remove it then fell pregnant again. No issues throughout pregnancy and now have a healthy 2 year old! Was a vaginal birth too

I had a 10cm cyst with my second pregnancy, didn't affect the baby at all. Ended up having surgery to remove it when ds was 12 months old, they had wanted to do it sooner but I was breastfeeding and co-sleeping and just put it off for as long as possible.

I had an 8cm simple cyst that was found during my 12 week scan. They just checked it again at my 20 week scan and it hadn’t grown, I had it removed when dd was 10 months old. It had no effect on my pregnancy whatsoever and I didn’t even know it was there.

Thank you all so much @TheGriffle @AllBellyandBoobs @littlese @Yodaisawally This has given me a lot of reassurance. I spoke with a consultant and she said I'll have extra growth scans for baby and the cyst will be monitored. Hopefully no more issues!

I had a dermoid cyst on my left ovary which was discovered when I had pain during early pregnancy with dd1. It meant I had to have a planned C-section and also an oopherectomy as I was bleeding out too much to save the ovary.

I had a full spinal but was awake the whole time. The delivery was good but the recovery was not. Took me months to not have pain and get over the trauma of losing an ovary.

Still managed to get pregnant with dd2 with only one ovary though, so it all worked out in the end 😁

I had a large cyst when pregnant and also dd was transverse and the placenta was over the birth canal so she must have felt very cramped in there! It was all fine though.

I'm so sorry you're having such a stressful time!

I had a cyst with DS1. They'd noticed it on the growth scan, then everyone forgot about it until I was in hospital, 14 days overdue, and the induction wasn't working. Turned out the cyst had stopped DS1 dropping into the right position.

So they did a calm C-section and removed the cyst at the same time. DS1 was fine, and 8lbs 2oz so it didn't affect his growth.

I'd actually wanted a c-section all along so I was DELIGHTED.

Hope all goes well for you - sending lots of love.

I have previous history with a mega cyst that was ultimately removed taking out my left ovary with it! Since then they've kept an eye on things. Throughout my first pregnancy I had a cyst on my remaining ovary - no problems.

This time around I have a 7cm cyst as well, my consultant wasn't at all concerned about it. She said over 7cm they get concerned that the cyst can twist, but that as the baby grows this isn't very likely as there's just no room. Pregnancy hormones can also make them grow by they can shrink after. I've been advised that once baby is here they'll have another look at it on a scan and consider removing the cyst depending on what they find. This was just after my 20 week scan - 28 weeks now and 0 problems.

All the best with your pregnancy!

I had a large cyst found on my 12 week scan. It was bigger than the baby! Sonographer didn't seem fussed and I got a letter from a consultant saying they'd keep an eye on it. I'm 20 weeks pregnant now and having my 20 week scan next week so will mention it then, I want to see if it's shrunk or changed at all. I didn't even know it was something to be worried about until I read this thread and I'm wondering if I should be concerned now!

It’s really common. I had a 28cm dermoid cyst. Just follow the instructions and advice of your doctor and stay away from google!

So sorry you had pain and recovery was long @Meredusoleil but very glad all was ok in the end!

That's great to know @teaandtoastwithmarmite ..those were my thoughts, that the baby could get quite squished, but really happy no issues.

Thanks @DoingJustFine , I can't believe how anxious I am this time. Because I had a larger cyst last time, I wouldn't be surprised if this one grew larger. At least I know this seems to be a common thing and potentially could be removed during a c section or at a later point.

Thanks so much @bogoblin , and all the best with your pregnancy too!

I hope this thread gives you reassurance not to start worrying now @rickandmorts . I'm sure all will be fine at your 20 week scan, lots of best wishes for your pregnancy.

Wow @LeafHunter , glad all is ok! Yeah, Google seems to be both a blessing and a curse.

But so glad to have read all your stories, thank you all so much.

Yes I did ask if the cyst could squash her but they assured me the cyst would be the thing to make the room for her. Of course I then worried it could rupture but it was fine.