Uterine Fibroids generally do not affect a woman’s chances of conception. In some cases when submucosal fibroids protrude into the uterine cavity, besides causing heavy menstrual flow, it might also prevent implantation of the embryo, leading to infertility.
As much as fibroids are generally harmless, they can sometimes cause complications during pregnancy. Fibroids tend to enlarge during pregnancy with the increase in estrogen levels. The most commonly-reported fibroids symptom is increased pain and bleeding. During a pregnancy, due to inadequate blood supply, some fibroids degenerate, often referred to as “red degeneration” and shrink in size. This may cause severe pain and pre-term contractions.
In addition, other possible complications include fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, early delivery, breech / transverse lie and miscarriage.
If you have fibroids and plan to get pregnant, it may be advisable to have them surgically removed before conceiving especially if the fibroids are large. There are a few factors to consider.
In general, it is recommended to allocate at least 6 months rest period from the uterine fibroids surgery to conception. This is to allow the fibroid surgical scar to heal properly.
If uterine rupture occurs during the third trimester, it poses a significant risk to the baby and mother. The baby may be stillborn and if the baby survives, it may suffer from permanent brain damage (cerebral palsy). The severe bleeding in the mother may also lead to maternal mortality. For some women who had previous fibroid surgery, it may be safer to undergo an elective Caesarean Section.
Our experienced fibroids gynae is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids and will be able to provide you with relevant information and advice on being pregnant with fibroids. He will assess your condition thoroughly, including the size and location of the fibroids, before guiding you through your pregnancy journey while looking out for any potential problems that fibroids in pregnancy may pose.
