How to get Pregnant » Fibroids During Pregnancy
Fibroids During Pregnancy
Fibroids are benign growths or tumors that originate from the smooth muscle layer (myometrium) and the accompanying connective tissue of the uterus. They are the most common benign tumors in females and typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy although this appears to be very rare.
Their growth is strongly dependent on estrogen and progesterone. Although both estrogen and progesterone are usually regarded as growth promoting they will also cause growth restriction in some circumstances. Paradoxically fibroids will rarely grow during pregnancy despite very high steroid hormone levels and pregnancy appears to exert a certain protective effect.
If you are a woman who is pregnant and has uterine fibroids you need to consult your doctor about it. This is to eliminate possible complications of fibroids during pregnancy. Though fibroids tend to grow in size during pregnancy, it is unlikely that they will cause you any symptoms. Some pregnant women do experience minor symptoms, particularly pelvic pain and light spotting. This is especially common if you experience fibroid torsion, when a fibroid growing on a stalk begins to twist. However, most pregnant women will not even know that the fibroids are there.
Most pregnant women who have fibroids will not experience any complications with their pregnancy either. However, fibroids during pregnancy do increase your risk of miscarriage or preterm labor slightly. Occasionally, complications can arise if your fibroids become very large. Complications can include postpartum hemorrhaging, obstructed labor (if the fibroid grows into the birth canal), fetal malpresentations (sometimes fibroids grow into the uterus, forcing your baby into an unusual position, thus predisposing the woman to cesarean section.
What to do about it
During pregnancy, it is recommended that you not seek any treatment for your fibroids. Your health care provider will monitor the growth of your fibroids in order to anticipate any complications. If you are experiencing pain, try lying down or using an ice pack to numb the area. Immediate treatment may be pursued if you begin to bleed profusely or experience severe pain.
After pregnancy, fibroids tend to shrink in size, and probably won't cause you any problems. If you are still suffering from symptoms, treatments are available for fibroids. You may have ablation of the fibroids, surgery to remove the fibroids, hysterectomy and may take medications to shrink the fibroids.
During Pregnancy