Is it possible to get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy with fibroids?
There are many women with fibroids who become pregnant and have successful deliveries. Ultimately, depending on the woman, the answer may vary. Having fibroids does not preclude the possibility of becoming pregnant naturally without infertility treatment. It might be difficult for others to conceive with uterine fibroids depending on where they are located and how they are growing.
If you have a lot of fibroids, especially if they are submucosal fibroids, they may affect your fertility. Having fibroids doesn’t affect ovulation, but submucosal fibroids can make pregnancy and conception more difficult.
According to the National Library of Medicine, among all the benign tumors of the female reproductive tract, the uterine fibroid is the most common. Women are estimated to develop this condition between 20 and 40 percent of the time, whereas its incidence during pregnancy is estimated between 0.1 and 3.9 percent. ¹
Despite the fact that fibroids increase the risk of pregnancy, women can still conceive and deliver a healthy baby. If you suffer fibroid symptoms, whether or not you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, reach out to USA Fibroid Centers, particularly if you are planning on becoming pregnant.
What are Fibroids?
During a woman’s childbearing years, she may be diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Fibroids in the uterus are non-cancerous growths that are also known as leiomyomas or myomas. The uterine muscle makes them. There is no clear understanding of the cause of fibroids. Some of the risk factors include obesity, family history, or early onset of puberty. Some of the fibroid symptoms include pelvic discomfort, prolonged periods, and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Before or after pregnancy, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a non-invasive treatment option to get rid of fibroids. For more information about UFE, contact one of our fibroid specialists at USA Fibroid Centers.
Think you might have fibroids based on these symptoms? Take our symptom quiz.
Are You Pregnant and Have Fibroids?
Fibroids can range in size from small, not visible masses to bulky masses that enlarge and distort the uterus. You can have a single fibroid or several fibroids of different sizes. Occasionally, multiple fibroids can expand the uterus so much that they reach the rib cage and add weight to the body.
In most cases, fibroids do not require treatment during pregnancy. Uterine fibroids cannot be treated during pregnancy due to the risk to the fetus. Your doctor may prescribe rest, hydration, and mild pain relievers if you are experiencing symptoms such as pain or discomfort.
Pregnant women with large or several fibroids may experience pain, bleeding, preterm delivery, or need surgery. Consult a fibroid specialist to find out if your fibroids may cause problems in your pregnancy and what treatment options are available to you.
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Fibroid Pregnancy: Is It High Risk?
Among the complications of pregnancy among women with fibroids are placenta previa, fetal malpresentation, premature rupture of membranes, placental abruption, severe postpartum hemorrhage, or cesarean delivery.
Your obstetrician might watch you closely and order additional sonograms or ultrasounds to check on the size of the fibroids and to make sure a fibroid is not in the way of the birth canal. Fibroids can grow larger during the first trimester of pregnancy.
It is common for patients with fibroids to have healthy pregnancies. However, fibroids can affect pregnancy outcomes depending on their size, location, and number. It is possible for patients with fibroids to have a premature delivery or to require a cesarean section. Additionally, fibroids have also been linked to miscarriage.
Schedule a UFE Consultation to Get Rid of Your Fibroids
If you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant and have fibroids, contact our fibroid specialists to review your treatment options. USA Fibroid Centers understands that women who plan on getting pregnant or are pregnant are more concerned about their bodies if they have been diagnosed with fibroids. If you are wondering if you have fibroids, take our one-minute symptoms checker and let’s find out.
If you want to be fibroid-free, USA Fibroid Centers can be reached at 855.615.2555 or you can fill out our online scheduling form. We offer virtual doctor visits. We look forward to helping you with UFE.
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Work Cited:
(1) Okon, Okon A. “Large Uterine Fibroids in Pregnancy with Successful Caesarean Myomectomy.” NCBI, 10 November 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7671803/. Accessed 1 October 2022.
