fibroids during early pregnancy

[ai38]

I wanted to see if there is anyone out there pregnant while having fibroids. How has your experience and symptoms been?

I have a painful history with fibroids. I had laparoscopic surgery in 2020 where they removed a 10 cm fibroid that had grown into the cavity of my uterus and was making me so poorly. Prior to that surgery, for months I had awful pain, nonstop bleeding, severe anaemia ( I had to receive blood transfusion) and a lot of other issues.

Fast forward to today, I am 7+1 pregnant and this is my first time at 38.

I know that I currently have a fibroid that measured 5 cm in early March before this pregnancy. The consultant assured me that this time the location of fibroid is in the walls of ueterus and therefore it is not causing any symptoms and it will not interfere with conception or pregnancy. However she did tell me that if I get pregnant I can expect some pain because of fibroid. She also said that sometimes pregnancy makes the fibroid increase or decrease in size but even if the fibroid grows this shouldn't affect the health of baby.

Since when I found out I pregnant, I've been having a lot of cramps and pain in my abdomen. These are exactly like the type of cramps and pain I had with my first fibroid and unfortunately constantly bringing to mind the trauma of those awful months. I haven't had any bleeding and my other symptoms like nausea and fatigue are mild. I know that the cramping can be a normal symptom of pregnancy but I can't stop thinking if this is the fibroid at play. I don't know if it would be a good idea to get a private scan at 8 weeks for reassurance or to contact the EPU or to not overthink and simply wait or my NHS scan at 12+5.

It would be helpful to hear your experiences of early pregnancy symptoms if you have had fibroids.

I’m 14 weeks pregnant, and at the last scan they found two fibroids, which have appeared since I got pregnant.
It’s an IVF pregnancy, so they removed a couple of fibroids before treatment. The doctor did say that the increase in oestrogen is likely to cause them to grow back though.
I’ve been having cramps for weeks. Not agonising, but very uncomfortable. Thankfully no blood, but still very disconcerting. Both cramps in my uterus and also the digestive pain, as progesterone causes your metabolism to slow right down. Basically all body parts from below neck to top of thighs are uncomfortable!
If you can afford the £75ish fee for a private scan and it’s going to put your mind at rest, then do it. However, I had a scan at 6 weeks at the IVF clinic, and the following week I was still a bag of nerves counting the days until the 12-week scan! So it will probably only make you feel better for a bit.

I have had bleeding and light cramping but no pain so I was told by my GP that he couldn’t refer me to the EPU as they are so busy they are only taking referrals for people who have bleeding and severe pain symptoms.

I paid for a private scan at 7 weeks expecting to be told I was having another miscarriage and we saw a little baby with a heartbeat! She did see my fibroid which in Nov 22 was measuring 8cm and is now measuring 11cm! I wonder if yours has grown because of the hormones which might explain why you’re feeling a bit different?

@ES1986 Thanks for sharing your experience. I didn't know you can grow fibroids during pregnancy. I expect I will have a lot of symptoms further along the way.

@Formaddict I think mine must have grown as well. Did they tell you about its location?

I've decided to book a private scan next week just for my own peace of mine.

I think booking a scan is a good idea as you’ll just be worrying about it.

they said something along the lines of it ‘being on the back wall’ and it is nothing to worry about as it will just get pushed aside during labour!

One of my fibroids is at the top of the womb, so nothing to work about. The other is near the bottom, so may cause issues with childbirth if it grows. However my fibroids are only 5-6cm at the moment, so relatively small.
Because two have grown in the first 12 weeks I am seen as slightly higher risk, which means I’ll get at least another scan or two in later pregnancy. No complaints about that!
The doctor seemed incredibly laid back about the fibroids though, and said many women have them. The pain is annoying, but I try to reassure myself that creating a new person obviously can be a strain on your body, with or without fibroids to share the womb?
Fingers crossed for your scan. All you really see at the early stages is a pulsating blur, but it still had me in tears. 💗