Fibroids ??

[Trish]

Just after a little information here.

Today I had my NT scan and all went well with bub, thankfully. However the specialist found a mass, he is guessing/assuming it's a fibroid. It measures 2.42cm x 1.78cm, so already a decent size.

I know that the extra hormones in pregnancy will feed this fibroid and that it will more than likely grow. It is to the back of my uterus, I think behind the baby.

Has anyone had fibroids and what did this mean for your babies birth.
I am planning on a homebirth again for this baby and really don't want this to affect it in any way.

[aussienic]

I am just going to sub here to see what others have to say. as I said to you in another post I have one also.

[LadyRaven]

EHealthMD Library on Fibroids:

"Do Fibroids Affect Pregnancy?
Most women with fibroids have no more trouble becoming pregnant than women who do not have fibroids, and their risk of a bad pregnancy outcome is no higher.

About 1 in every 15 women with infertility has fibroids, but the fibroids are usually innocent bystanders: They cause only 2% to 3% of cases of infertility. Fibroids that block one or both of the fallopian tubes may prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. Fibroids that fill the uterine cavity may block implantation of a newly fertilized egg.

Fibroids-especially those located in the cavity of the uterus-may increase the chance of a miscarriage or may cause a woman to go into labor before her due date (premature labor). Fibroids may also increase the chance that the baby is not positioned to come out headfirst. This can increase the need for cesarean section. Rarely, fibroids can cause complications of pregnancy called placental abruption and postpartum hemorrhage."

[Roryrory]

Fibroids-especially those located in the cavity of the uterus-may increase the chance of a miscarriage or may cause a woman to go into labor before her due date (premature labor)

This happened to a GF of mine - hospital tried to fob it off as BH contractions but lucky her OB knew what it was - prem labour at 25 weeks. She was presrcibed bed rest for rest of pg and also medication used to control high BP. But in the end bub was overdue (go figure!!) and turned out fine - no labour complications to speak of.

Take home message I got was if you are told you are having BH but think it is something more GET A 2ND OR 3RD OPINION.

[Pandora]

I had a 3cm fibroid found at either my 6 week or 12 week scan.
It was in the uterus wall, right near the opening of my cervix, on the right hand side.

my OB was not at all worried about it, and told me that it would probably move up and out of the way.

At my 20 week scan it was 6cm, and my OB booked me in for a scan at 36 weeks just to check. At that scan they could not see anything at all, there was no sign of it.

The only complications I was aware of were that it could implode (can be quite painful but not harmful to the baby) and it can grow or shrink due to hormones.

I had a vaginal birth. At no stage did my OB talk about anything different.

[Inanna]

Trish,
It's really not at all uncommon and usually poses no risk to your pregnancy.
Do you know where it is in relation to your baby? It sounds like it is well clear and it's really not that big so I am guessing it's not going to cause a problem.

You are right that the increase in estrogen can grow these a bit but it is not at all uncommon for them to be gone at the next u/s either as happened to another poster in here. I had 2 fibroids of 4-5cms with DS at 14 weeks and none at 20... Same with another pregnancy also.

They can rupture in pregnancy and that can be painful but again usually cause no problems with the baby.

No doubt it will be watched at your morphology u/s but I would really feel that it will be fine my love... It shouldn't impact on your birth if they don't grow excessively.

[monnie]

Hey Trish

Ahhh...fibroids...my close friends!!!

Apparently about 30% of women have fibroids, most of which don't even realise they have them until they have some sort of scan...only a small percentage of women actually have problems with them...as mostly they are asymptommatic...

I've had issues with them in the past (mainly because they were troublesome ones) and had to have surgery to get them removed...BUT...most people don't have any issues...

Since being pregnant, I've found out I've got a few more of them growing...my Ob. is just keeping an eye on them, as generally they don't cause problems...my original gyn. told me one of the best things I could do for my fibroids was to get pregnant...my problem was the getting pregnant part!!!

Anyway...hopefully they won't cause you any problems...most don't...

Take care


Monnie

[Baby~amore`]

I had a few large fibroids (one was as big as tennis ball apparently) noted at my u/s 's but they didn't cause me any problems ... I agree with what Flowerchild said. Goodluck Trish

[Trish]

Thanks for all the info girls. Well here's hoping my fibroids go away.

I had my first visit with my midwife lastnight. She was staying down with me for a few days. Anyway, my fundal height is already measuring 16cm, which wouldn't be bad if I was 16 weeks or so and not just 12 weeks. I guess my fibroid is taking up some space in there too.

[LadyRaven]

Trish, maybe there are twins in the oven?

[Trish]

HAHA Not likely Celtic. Have had 3 scans now and only one bubba in there. Unless the other twin is an ugly fibroid.

Thanks for that Trish. Seems they are pretty common afterall.

[Tanya]

Fundal height isn't all that accurate this early anyway, Trish So I hope that fibroid doesn't cause any trouble for you both.

Tanya

[Pandora]

Yep I am surprised that they even checked fundal height that early, mine wasn't done before 16 weeks, maybe even 20.