Page 2 | Fibroid in Pregnancy

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 2023-05-12T11:01:06+00:00

Hi 👋 I am 33 weeks pregnant today, first baby. I have a subserosal fibroid covering the opening to my cervix (measuring 70 x 52mm) The fibroid is blocking the baby's exit. I've been told by the consultant it could move as the pregnancy progresses & my uterus stretches but they won't know until around 37/38 weeks. I have a scan mid June around 37 and a half weeks which feels rather late to find out what the plan is for birth. It was explained by the consultant I would need a C Section if the fibroid has not moved however this would be tricky because the fibroid is right where they would need to cut and also a C section carries a higher risk of bleeding if the fibroid was to be ruptured, due to this the consultant explained a natural delivery would be safer for me and the baby but of course this won't be possible if the fibroid doesn't move! I am aware nobody will know the exact answer for my personal situation .. I am just hoping to hear about other people's experiences who have been through similar and how you ended up delivering, as the uncertainty is starting to kick in!

MrsMiagi · 12/08/2023 05:47

ai38 · 11/08/2023 14:30

@MrsMiagi I am so glad to hear your c-section went smoothly. One of my worries is the need to have emergency c-section and the hospital not being ready for the complications that may arise. In your case, did they have the full set-up for blood transfusion, etc despite it being an emergency surgery? and may I ask how the recovery has been? I was told that because they need to cut above the fibroid, in a thicker part of the uterus, the recovery might take longer.

The hospital had the full team ready despite me being there earlier than anticipated. One of the reasons the c section was arranged for lunchtime was not just to get the emergencies dealt with first, but to make sure everyone who might need to be there was ready for me.
I had to be cut higher but I dont think my recovery has been any longer for it. I haven't had a c section before to compare to, but lots of people I know have and I feel I recovered quite quickly when we have co parednour experiences. Initially I had to prop myself up to sleep because lying flat was too painful but that subsided after a few days. The key for me was to keep up with painkillers and have baby on my husbands side of the bed at first so he could pass baby over to me when needed.
I was most worried about using the stairs.... stairs arre unavoidable where we live, but it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
I rested lots, tried to sleep when I could and drank lots and lots of water

ai38 · 12/08/2023 09:07

@MrsMiagi Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Really reassuring to hear you have had a near normal experience. It's my first pregnancy so it's an unknown territory for me, let alone the fibroid situation. In 2020, I had a laparoscopic myomectomy to remove a large fibroid I had back then which is the closest I have ever got to a c-section. So, I kind of know what to expect when it comes to the recovery only that this time I expect worse :)

Delectable · 03/09/2023 12:58

Thanks for sharing ladies. Very useful info. Getting ready to have my embies transfered soon but scab shows fibroids largest being 4.7cm. Shall do a private saline sonogram in a few days to show the NHS gynaecologist this week.

Original poster

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 14/10/2023 09:03

Just updating this thread 3 months after my birth. It's been crazy to say the least. My poor baby has had reflux/colic but hopefully over the worst.

I ended up going for a vaginal birth but ended up being induced after 4 days of slow labour/contractions & only progressing to 3cm, ended up with a forceps delivery due to babies heart quickly decelerating, episiotomy and a large PPH after birth so was kind of traumatised after that! Not to mention the failed epidural, I could fully feel my legs! And being admitted to hospital for 4 nights afterwards as I was unwell after birth. Thankfully my baby boy was born safe and sound. In hindsight I'd of opted for a section but isn't hindsight a wonderful thing. It's just food for thought for anyone that ends up in a situation.

OP posts:

MrsMiagi · 14/10/2023 09:52

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 14/10/2023 09:03

Just updating this thread 3 months after my birth. It's been crazy to say the least. My poor baby has had reflux/colic but hopefully over the worst.

I ended up going for a vaginal birth but ended up being induced after 4 days of slow labour/contractions & only progressing to 3cm, ended up with a forceps delivery due to babies heart quickly decelerating, episiotomy and a large PPH after birth so was kind of traumatised after that! Not to mention the failed epidural, I could fully feel my legs! And being admitted to hospital for 4 nights afterwards as I was unwell after birth. Thankfully my baby boy was born safe and sound. In hindsight I'd of opted for a section but isn't hindsight a wonderful thing. It's just food for thought for anyone that ends up in a situation.

Glad you are both OK. Your birth experience sounds almost identical to my first and it traumatised me which is another reason I opted for c section this time.

I hear you with the reflux/ colic! My 4 month old refuses to take omeprazole so it's really tough at times!

Moonchild79 · 14/10/2023 15:01

Really pleased you posted - was wondered how you and baby were 🙂

JoyApple · 15/10/2023 00:28

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 14/10/2023 09:03

Just updating this thread 3 months after my birth. It's been crazy to say the least. My poor baby has had reflux/colic but hopefully over the worst.

I ended up going for a vaginal birth but ended up being induced after 4 days of slow labour/contractions & only progressing to 3cm, ended up with a forceps delivery due to babies heart quickly decelerating, episiotomy and a large PPH after birth so was kind of traumatised after that! Not to mention the failed epidural, I could fully feel my legs! And being admitted to hospital for 4 nights afterwards as I was unwell after birth. Thankfully my baby boy was born safe and sound. In hindsight I'd of opted for a section but isn't hindsight a wonderful thing. It's just food for thought for anyone that ends up in a situation.

Thank you for sharing this update and sorry to hear about reflux/colic, it is super tough!

I'm in a similar situation re fibroid and been advised to have a c- section as labour unlikely to progress and according to my consultant it will be much smoother. I think given what you've shared too I'm going to press ahead with the planned C-section.

I think my little one is using fibroid as a pillow too. The internal pain seems to be increasing now that I'm almost full term.

Londonrungirl · 16/10/2023 10:33

Hello guys - thanks for this post. Really useful hearing other stories.

Wanted to jump on if I can - I’ve had a large fibroid since the start of pregnancy - it grew quite a lot in the first trimester to just under 10cm but seems to have stayed the same / shrunk a bit recently.

After lots of talk early on about it maybe impacting a vaginal birth and needing a c section referral I had a scan at 28 weeks with a fetal medicine consultant. She was able to scan me and also discuss my options - I’d seen her once before at around 24 weeks but she couldn’t see my scans on her computer so said it could be a watch and wait one or it might be clear cut depending on the location.

Her conclusion was “it is not possible to see the cervix seperately raising the suspicion that the fibroid is within the cervix. Vaginal delivery will not be possible and therefore I’ve advised a c section at 39 weeks”

I have a few questions in the back of my mind having read stories like this - does it make sense they’re not waiting to see / have they got the location wrong as I was previously told it was subserosal so in the uterus wall and never been told it was “in the cervix”. I don’t mind having a c section if it’s the best option but I’m just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this and whether I should seek a second opinion? She did offer but said she thought they would say the exact same thing.

Also keen to hear people’s opinions on whether I should just take the c section - even if her placement is marginally off and it was possible (she did reiterate she didn’t think it was) sounds like the changes of a vaginal birth would be slim to none and it wouldn’t be worth the risk?

I guess the main thing I’m worried about is excessive bleeding / the small risk of a hysterectomy or stuff that will impact a future pregnancy (first baby).

thanks for reading 🙏

MrsMiagi · 16/10/2023 14:01

Londonrungirl · 16/10/2023 10:33

Hello guys - thanks for this post. Really useful hearing other stories.

Wanted to jump on if I can - I’ve had a large fibroid since the start of pregnancy - it grew quite a lot in the first trimester to just under 10cm but seems to have stayed the same / shrunk a bit recently.

After lots of talk early on about it maybe impacting a vaginal birth and needing a c section referral I had a scan at 28 weeks with a fetal medicine consultant. She was able to scan me and also discuss my options - I’d seen her once before at around 24 weeks but she couldn’t see my scans on her computer so said it could be a watch and wait one or it might be clear cut depending on the location.

Her conclusion was “it is not possible to see the cervix seperately raising the suspicion that the fibroid is within the cervix. Vaginal delivery will not be possible and therefore I’ve advised a c section at 39 weeks”

I have a few questions in the back of my mind having read stories like this - does it make sense they’re not waiting to see / have they got the location wrong as I was previously told it was subserosal so in the uterus wall and never been told it was “in the cervix”. I don’t mind having a c section if it’s the best option but I’m just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this and whether I should seek a second opinion? She did offer but said she thought they would say the exact same thing.

Also keen to hear people’s opinions on whether I should just take the c section - even if her placement is marginally off and it was possible (she did reiterate she didn’t think it was) sounds like the changes of a vaginal birth would be slim to none and it wouldn’t be worth the risk?

I guess the main thing I’m worried about is excessive bleeding / the small risk of a hysterectomy or stuff that will impact a future pregnancy (first baby).

thanks for reading 🙏

You can book a c section and still change your mind if you want to. My situation was similar and I had a c section (second pregnancy, both with fibroids). It was supposed to be planned but my waters broke 2 and a half weeks early so they technically call that an emergency c section. It was bliss.
In my first pregnancy I had a fibroid, wanted vaginal birth, ended up being induced then baby was in distress. Tried epidural which failed and ended up going under anaesthetic and baby pulled out via forceps. Horrific experience.
This time round was so relaxed. I did have the bleeding risk and risk of hysterectomy (I have at least 6 fibroids, 2 are large) but the risk is always there with fibroids whoever way you deliver. Having a c cession meant everyone was prepared.... there was extra blood ready, the gynaecologist was on hand just in case, the theatre was packed to be honest but I felt very safe. I hope that helps. I know how hard it is to decide and no choice you make would be a wrong decision

Londonrungirl · 16/10/2023 21:29

@MrsMiagi thanks so much for your lovely reply. Sorry to hear about your fibroid experiences but sounds like you had a much better recent birth.

I think if I went into labour earlier it would be a similar story with an “emergency” c section. Good to know there’s still time to change - I don’t think it gets officially booked until Dec even though they’ve put me down for one so I suppose there’s still time to change if things feel like they shift - eg fibroid location. Part of me just wants to settle on a solution though so maybe there’s no benefit to questioning their current assessment. Thanks again - thinking out loud helps!

Original poster

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 22/10/2023 17:48

Hi @JoyApple

Bless you! Your LO sounds in the exact position mine was, head down pressing on the fibroid!

Yes definitely do what feels right for you. A planned C Section would have been a much more pleasant birth experience and I so wish I'd opted for that. I was so weak after birth I could barely hold my little 6lb 14oz boy ☹️.

My consultants put my off having a c section but you are well within your rights to have one if that's how you'd like to deliver! Go for it!

I hope it all goes well, wishing you all the best x

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Original poster

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 22/10/2023 17:52

@MrsMiagi I am so relieved to hear your C Section went well, a completely different experience from the first birth! Sorry to hear you went through a similar experience sadly it has put me off having any more, although had a bad pregnancy too. We're blessed to have amazing care and our babies with us, they're so worth it in the end. Wishing you all the best xx

OP posts:

Original poster

Unic0rnSparkle0405 · 22/10/2023 18:00

Londonrungirl · 16/10/2023 10:33

Hello guys - thanks for this post. Really useful hearing other stories.

Wanted to jump on if I can - I’ve had a large fibroid since the start of pregnancy - it grew quite a lot in the first trimester to just under 10cm but seems to have stayed the same / shrunk a bit recently.

After lots of talk early on about it maybe impacting a vaginal birth and needing a c section referral I had a scan at 28 weeks with a fetal medicine consultant. She was able to scan me and also discuss my options - I’d seen her once before at around 24 weeks but she couldn’t see my scans on her computer so said it could be a watch and wait one or it might be clear cut depending on the location.

Her conclusion was “it is not possible to see the cervix seperately raising the suspicion that the fibroid is within the cervix. Vaginal delivery will not be possible and therefore I’ve advised a c section at 39 weeks”

I have a few questions in the back of my mind having read stories like this - does it make sense they’re not waiting to see / have they got the location wrong as I was previously told it was subserosal so in the uterus wall and never been told it was “in the cervix”. I don’t mind having a c section if it’s the best option but I’m just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this and whether I should seek a second opinion? She did offer but said she thought they would say the exact same thing.

Also keen to hear people’s opinions on whether I should just take the c section - even if her placement is marginally off and it was possible (she did reiterate she didn’t think it was) sounds like the changes of a vaginal birth would be slim to none and it wouldn’t be worth the risk?

I guess the main thing I’m worried about is excessive bleeding / the small risk of a hysterectomy or stuff that will impact a future pregnancy (first baby).

thanks for reading 🙏

Hi @Londonrungirl

Sounds similar to my experience and I really did just want to settle on a solution at the time, hence making this thread!

I can only speak from experience of giving birth to my one and only baby. And boy was it tough, and traumatic. To the point I don't think I'll ever have another baby. I wanted the 'experience' of giving birth vaginally but in the end, I guess it doesn't matter as long as you and baby are healthy in the end.

If I was in the same position as you I would 100% go for the C Section. I very briefly explained my birth earlier in the thread and it really did scare me at the time how quickly it all went wrong and the. having a large PPH. Thankfully the doctors were absolutely amazing and most certainly saved my life.

The majority of people I see seem to have amazing experiences of C Sections and even more so planned ones.

Whatever you decide I hope it all goes really well x

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