Several women of childbearing age have gynecological concerns such as fibroids, PCOS and endometriosis. If you’ve found out about them during your pregnancy, you may wonder how they impact your pregnancy and if they put you and your baby at risk.
If you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids during pregnancy, here’s what you should know:
- Fibroids are common
Fibroids are basically non-cancerous masses of muscle and fibrous tissue, found inside or outside the uterine wall. A fibroid tumor is also known as myoma. Around 50-80% of women have fibroids, which makes this condition quite common.
- Fibroids can vary in size
There is no particular size of a fibroid. Some may be as small as a pea, while others can be large or larger than a grapefruit. Most fibroids don’t grow in size, but in certain cases, they may grow in the first trimester of pregnancy. The ones that grow during pregnancy may cause miscarriage. The symptoms can vary from woman to woman, according to the varying sizes and numbers of fibroids. Your doctor should be able to guide you if you have a growing fibroid.
- Treatment may not be needed
Most women don’t require any treatment for fibroids. However, for some, fibroids may have to be surgically removed either before or after pregnancy. This is especially true in women with large fibroids which may cause pain, heavy bleeding or impact on fertility. Your doctor is the best judge about the treatment plan and medication that is safe during pregnancy.
- Complications are possible
For women who have small fibroids that don’t grow, there’s very little risk of complications involved in pregnancy. Even for women with large fibroids, the risk can be low. However, the size and location of the fibroids may be the main issue which may increase the risk of miscarriage, in-uterine growth restriction, preterm birth, breech position, c-section or heavy postpartum bleeding.
- Fibroids may change during pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones may cause your fibroids to grow or shrink. Your doctor may monitor your fibroids to see if the change in fibroids may increase your risk of complications. If a fibroid is located near the bottom of the uterus, or close to the cervix, growth could block the baby’s passage into the birth canal. Your doctor will monitor the growth and take precautions accordingly.
- Uterine Fibroids don’t mean C-Section
While fibroids increase the risk of needing a c-section, many women with fibroids may be able to have uncomplicated vaginal births. If the size and location of your fibroids is blocking the cervix, or if it has an impact on the baby’s ability to move into optimal position, it may create problems in a normal birth. In such cases, a C-section may be necessary.
When it comes to fibroids, avoid self-treatment and consult your doctor about the right course of treatment. There is no miracle cure for fibroids. Leave the diagnosis and care on your doctor and follow their recommendations. Our doctors at KIMS Cuddles will take the best possible care of you, should you need treatment.
*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.
