Fibroids during pregnancy

[peps2917]

Hi everyone

I am currently 10 weeks pregnant. I was diagnosed with 6 fibroids in October last year - I found out I had them because they were causing me a lot of pain. None of them are inside the womb but they are on the lining and outside the womb. The biggest is 8cm.

Does anyone have any experience of fibroids during pregnancy? Any tips? I’m considered high risk because of them which I’m glad about, but I’m worried they’re going to cause me lots of discomfort and pain. I really hope they don’t! They haven’t so far thankfully and I’m glad the hospital will be monitoring them but I am keen to hear about others’ experiences so I can be fully informed.

Thanks!

I have some fibroids (3 I think?) although they haven't caused me pain. The sonographer noted them at my 12 week scan and I saw a consultant who said depending on their location they would consider a c section ie if one was in between baby's head and my cervix. That didn't happen in the end - things move around and baby got lower as pregnancy continued. The other thing that was flagged was that fibroids can sometimes make it harder for the uterus to contract after childbirth which means I was considered at higher risk of hemorrhaging. The main consequence of that was that I decided to give birth on a ward rather than in the midwife led unit. Midwives also suggested that I opt for the post birth hormone injection that encourages uterus to contract (mostly this is left up to the woman to decide but they recommended I do it). I took the shot and in the event had no problem with excessive bleeding, my uterus contracted normally etc.

So for me it meant a little more discussion and some specific recommendations but no actual changes in terms of the nature of the birth, which was a vaginal birth and from which I recovered well.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck!

@malimoon thank you that’s really useful!

did the fibroids eventually go away or do you still have them?

Totally depends on size and location but healthcare professional will guide you regarding if any interventions are needed, often none are needed.

Hard to say - nobody could see them on my last couple of scans (I had more than usual because I had a big baby) and then when I went for a follow up appointment after the birth, the doctor said I'd need a transvaginal ultrasound if I wanted to check them and that she didn't think it was worth it if they weren't bothering me (which they're not). So they may or may not still be there but they're not giving me any trouble.

Hi,

During my pregnancy I couldn’t find much information on fibroids so feel compelled to write to you to hopefully give you some reassurance.

I gave birth last month to a healthy baby boy (born via c section / combined with a myomectomy). He was 6Ib 8oz and at 36w+4.

My one fibroid grew in pregnancy to 24cm x 18cm.

My pregnancy was high risk, I had all the growth scans plus kidney scans every 6 weeks - pressure of fibroid caused some problems but in general tbh apart from looking like I was having triplets, my pregnancy was ok, still was actively walking / working up until 36 weeks. I had no pain from fibroid or degeneration etc. the baby grew and sort of pushed fibroid out of way, it was attached to wall of uterus.

Baby safely delivered by c section and then took 3hrs for fibroid removal, myomectomy, 2x haemorrhage and a ten day stay in hospital with some complications but now out / both me and baby healthy.

try and stay positive.
I’ve attached some photos of fibroid - look away now if squeamish but quite something and hopefully give some of you some reassurance if you are pregnant and with fibroid.

@CoyCoy oh my goodness the size of it!!! So glad it all went well. Did you ask to remove it during the c section or did they say you had to?

my biggest one is 8cm and I have 7 in total - they have been giving some pain but no red degeneration either so far thankfully.

REALLY glad all went well!