I don't see too many people posting about fibroids, so I thought I would start a new post. Has anyone had a successful pregnancy with fairly large fibroids? I was told that my uterus is around 12 weeks size, due to fibroids. I am really scared to have them removed in surgery. I had to have a laparotomy this past June due to an Ectopic and I was pretty miserable for about 4 weeks. I went back to work at 4 weeks, but I was still in alot of pain and I got tired very easily. I really don't like the idea of possibly going through that again.
Mine were not too big (largest was 5 cm) and I only got pregnant after having them removed (four total). Although one was left in the lining of my uterus, it more than tripled in size during my pregancy.
I had a myomectomy and recovery was not fun. Six weeks, very painful incision....
They left the one in because of it's location and the fact that I wanted to try to get pregnant.
All that said, I have a friend who does not seem to have too much of an issue getting pregnant and she has a fibroid basically coming off one of her ovaries!
I would definately speak to your OB about them while ttc.
HTH... best of luck to you.
Me 36, borderline low progesterone, light endo & fibroids removed 10/6/09.... Dh 37, borderline low morphology TTC#1 March 2006 TTC Charts TTA Charts
Me 36, borderline low progesterone, light endo & fibroids removed 10/6/09.... Dh 37, borderline low morphology
TTC#1 March 2006
First BFP 1/09/2010 wild yam root 500 mg cd 1-9, maca root 900 mg until 11 dpo, clomid 50 mg cd 5-9, NPC from 3 dpo, procheive suppositories 1st trimester
16 dpo beta 397, 18 dpo beta 863
9/26/2011
A girlfriend had a fibroid the size of an orange surgically removed and a year or so later got pregnant naturally.
There is a procedure called Uterine Artery Embolization - UAE http://www.fibroidworld.com/UAE.htm It treats fibroids without surgery, that might be an option.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Good luck
Ange
I looked into the uterine embolization, it's not recommended if you are ttc.
My sister had many large fibroids surgically removed, and got pregnant on her own about 6 months or so after surgery. I was pretty young when she had it done, so I don't remember many details about it. I do know it was a painful recovery for her, moreso than the c-section she had to deliver her baby. She says it was absolutely worth it to get her son. Good luck to you!
First of all, at the age of 41, I got pregnant with the help of TCYOF! I tracked everything. So, thank youToni!!
Same as you, I did a lot of research on the web and in books to find out more about fibroids, only to be left to my own ideas. I am not certain as to how large my fibroids were when all of this began and I am not certain as to what size you are considering to be "fairly large" Also, are they inside or outside of the uterus.... I am going to tell you the story of me. Keep in mind that this is only one fibroid story and it does not mean that this same thing will happen to you... hopefully, it will help you in your quest and if you do get pregnant (Hopefully you do!).
I don't know if this helps you, but I hope it does. We got pregnant after truly following this method for three months. Yes, really, three months. I did, however, add the luteal (ovulation) test strips just the second check my temp and cervical observations and they were right on.
I did not seem to have fibroids, but then - there they were. At our 16 week exam. I told my OB that I thought I was larger than what I should have been and at first he said ..no. Then he examined me and yup! He thought I was a little large, so he checked and there they were. The ultrasound showed three fibroids. At that time they weren't that large, but I was 41 at the time, so he consulted with a high risk doctor. I then went for regular ultrasounds to watch the fibroids.
The pregnancy continued to go well. I did not have any additional pain but the fibroids kept growing. Mine were outside of the uterus, which I am told is a key factor. If they are intra-uterine, they and the baby fight for blood and that is not a good thing as these fibroids can cause miscarriage. During continued ultrasounds, the fibroids grew to 4cm, 4cm, and 9cm and an additional one was growing on the lower part of my uterus.
We were at 24 weeks, when I had a sharp pain in my side that I really thought was appendicitis. Turns out that I was actually having contractions. Then my Fetal Fibronectin test came back positive. So, they kept me overnight. Now, here is the additional test that they did not perform, but should have.... it is a cervical thickness test, not just the length. It is not the physical exam, but the one that they need to do with an ultrasound. Remember that if you get into my situation. Oh, and also.... I evidently had a weak cervix. Anyway, they sent me home on two week bedrest. That night I had our baby at 2am at the house! She was 1lb 14 oz. Seven surgeries because of prematurity, brain damage, ROP, etc and six months in the NICU.... our daughter came home with two bilateral VP shunts on oxygen and on a feeding tube. The feeding tube is because one of the shunts failed and they had to do brain surgery again for the 4th time. The amazing news is that our daughter at the physical age of two is testing at her age for vocabulary and cognitive responses. She has come such a long, long way so PLEASE do not let me discourage you from trying to get pregnant while having fibroids... She is still on a feeding tube, but she is such a character! She, Thank God, does not have Cerebral Palsy, but we still see many doctors. Also, at about 8 days after her delivery, my fibroids started to do what they call "degenerate". That is when the blood supply gets cut off in some ways and they start to shrink.... and OH MY GOSH!!! That is so freaking painful. Make certain that you and your OB are prepared for that and that very strong pain medication is on hand at the first sign, day or night! The good thing is that once you get the pain medication, the degeneration - well, mine only lasted about 4 days. And again, my largest fibroid had grown to 9cm. I tell you all of this to set the stage for what to be aware of and cautious for, not to petrify you. So, please read on...
After all of that, I did some major research and found a high risk OB that SPECIALIZES IN FIBROIDS. Feel absolutely free to question the doctor directly and ask the questions! Have you delt with fibroids, have you done surgeries to remove them, have you worked with women to continue pregnancies with fibroids, etc... You are hiring this doctor to take care of you... interview them! My NEW OB did an MRI on me to see if we needed to have surgery and/or if I could try to get pregnant again... yes, I did say again. Despite what we went through, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and if it is God's will, then we will have another child. Well, I still have the fibroids, but they are much smaller 2 2cm and 1 4cm and the 4th one at the bottom of the uterus is pin sized. He told me that I did not need the surgery, BUT that if I did get pregnant that there was a pretty good chance that I might have to be on bed rest and I would probably need a cervical cerclage. I again asked him if we were a little crazy with wanting to try again... and he told me about the same thing. My history does not mean that it would have to repeat itself. Now we know and he can watch me. They also have different medications to assist with challenging pregnancies.
So, in the end... have a heart to heart talk with your doctor and seek out a second or even third opinion if you need to. This is an important decision and finding the "right" doctor for you can make all of the difference. Again, I hope this helps you.
Thank you for sharing your story. That's what I have heard, that fibroids can sometimes shrink after pregnancy. Also It really depends on where they are at.
As far as I know, they are on the outside mainly. I think one may be intramural, inside the muscle, but not inside the cavity. I will have another ultrasound soon to see exactly where they are.
Hi All,
I had two large fibroids (7cm & 8cm) removed in June 2009.
Depending on the locations of your fibroids i would advise going ahead with the surgery as once removed you can probably conceive. Leaving them there, they will only continue to grow and could potentially affect your fertility and reduce your chances of conception.
I had a midline incision (vertical from belly button down) due to the size of the fibroids and was off work for 2 months.
However, a year later I am pregnant and it was our first month TTC after the fibroid removal. My doctor thinks that i would not have conceived without the surgey or if i did may have had a miscarriage.
I'd say if your fibroids are located within the uterus, then go ahead with surgey, but if they are outside or on a stalk and not growing rapidly then leave it a while.
Nefaline - I have no real knowledge on fibroids at all but just wanted to send and say if you are unsure it might be wise to seek a second doctors opinion, to help you settle things in your own mind.
______
I wonder if you ladies could help advise and guide me please?
I have 4 fibroids, the largest is currently 2.4cm (grown from 1.4 in 12months). I have been told they are myometrial, on the rear of my uterusand unlikely to cause a fertility problem - I'm a little wary of my doctors guidance though - would that sound right?
When you refer to fibroids inside or outside the uterus what are mine since they are in the middle layer of the uterine wall - outside?
What is considered large v's small?
Me 32yrs, DH 37yrs
Chronic spotter from 4DPO, Small intramural fibroids, Low AMH yet also PCO.
3 IVF's - 2 BFN and 1 chemical pregnancy. All with thin endometrium
FET Jan 2012. Cancelled due to thin endometrium, just 5mm
FET March 2012, this time with stimms. Low beta, just 20 at 9dp5dt and a super squinter on a FRER, doubling nicely. HB seen but measuring 6 days behind. Scan at 7w+4 so far so good :)
sorry , double post
nell: Nefaline - I have no real knowledge on fibroids at all but just wanted to send and say if you are unsure it might be wise to seek a second doctors opinion, to help you settle things in your own mind. ______ I wonder if you ladies could help advise and guide me please? I have 4 fibroids, the largest is currently 2.4cm (grown from 1.4 in 12months). I have been told they are myometrial, on the rear of my uterusand unlikely to cause a fertility problem - I'm a little wary of my doctors guidance though - would that sound right? When you refer to fibroids inside or outside the uterus what are mine since they are in the middle layer of the uterine wall - outside? What is considered large v's small?
Mine was 5 cm and the tech called it "large"... I did experience back pain from it and it was positioned on top of my uterual (like a hat).
As far as position and fertility, I'm not sure it matters, I do wonder though if they mess up hormones? They grow from blood supply and have progesterone and/or estrogen recepters in them. Looking back I wonder if the fibroids threw my progesterone off (which was low)??
Probably worth investigating.
We were dealing with MFI but when they did the saline sono they found several fibroids - my RE said they "might" prevent an embryo from implanting so he wouldnt do IVF unless I had them removed. So I had a myomectomy and lap surgery (cysts) at the same time - recovery wasnt bad at all for me - 3 small incisions from the lap and they healed very fast. I was back at work within 2 days.
I was advised to get preg within 6 months or the fibroids would return. We decided to try surgery to see if that would help my DH's issue so a year later, still not preg, we go in for IVF - guess what. fibroids are back! Surgery again! This time no incisions, they went in vaginally (hysteroscopic myomectomy) and recovery was a breeze! 2 months later we did IVF and I got pregnant! Now I dotn remember the technical names for it but they were in the wall of my uterus and since they had to cut into that they required me to have a c/s due to the slight chance of a uterine rupture during labor.
Maybe I am in the minority but I didnt think recovery from the fibroids was bad at all - I would have the surgery if I were you -
Oh and I wanted to add - this time I got preg naturally and when I had my first sono the fibroids were back! They were small though and I was told that they STOP growing during pregnancy..... not sure who is right since others were told the opposite
jbizzy: I do wonder though if they mess up hormones? They grow from blood supply and have progesterone and/or estrogen recepters in them. Looking back I wonder if the fibroids threw my progesterone off (which was low)?? Probably worth investigating.
I do wonder though if they mess up hormones? They grow from blood supply and have progesterone and/or estrogen recepters in them. Looking back I wonder if the fibroids threw my progesterone off (which was low)??
Now that is really interesting as I now (every cycle post BCP, 8+months) have pre AF spotting for about a week or so (4DPO this cycle onwards). The ultrasound confirmed that the bleeding isn't directly from the fibroids (but could be unseen polyps i suppose). My gut feel is I have low progesterone causing the spotting as I am also plagued with (face) spots post O now and I never had those even as a teenager. My blood draws are this cycle so we'll see.
Dear ladies,
There are generally three types of fibroids. Intramural (within the uterine wall), submucosal (bulge into the uterine cavity) and subserosal (on the outside of the uterus). Any of the three can be problematic for conception IF THEY IMPEDE ON THE ENDOMETRIUM. I think subserosal are the least likely to impede on the endometrium because by definition they are entirely outside of the uterus. An ultrasound can confirm whether your fibroids are distorting your endometrium.
I have three fibroids--the largest is 6.25cm. All three are subserosal (outside the uterus) and not impeding upon the endometrium. I've been advised by 3 reproductive specialists that I do not need to remove them until they impede upon the endometrium. They shouldn't unless they grow to be so large that they actually push into the uterus and distort the endometrium.
Meanwhile, TTC quick before they grow too much larger!! I'm glad to know that IF I need the surgery, recovery CAN be quick. I always thought you had to wait at least 3 months before TTC again.
Hope this information helps. Good luck to you ladies.
Checking in on these posts, been a couple of months :)
I still do not have a complete answer. I was referred to a new RE and he has to compare my HSG from November 2009 to the one March 2011 before giving us any kind of an answer as to how much my fibroids might be distorting my uterus.
Crazy, trying to figure out what is making us have so much trouble ttc. 3 1/2 years. 4 years in November.
I had a lap myomectomy in november and it was a long painful recovery! I was as big as a 16 week pregnancy and they removed 7 lbs of fibroid. Yesterday i had another surgery where they cut 2 out of the inside of my uterus and let me tell you it has been way easier than the lap i havent taken any pain pills today. I would say if its changing the shape of your uterus and your having a problem with heavy bleeding its better to get them removed. Good luck to you!
Nefaline, I hope the HSG comparison is good.
Have you had ultrasounds and a hysteroscopy to look at them? That's what my doctor is doing (I've not had a HSG). My march ultrasound showed one of my intramural fibroids was deviating the endometrium, but my april scan shows it is now a little smaller and looking ok, although they did find new smaller fibroids. There seems to be so few facts when it come to fibroids and fertility, just that the ones inside the uterus (not in the wall or outside) are a definite issues. The issues of intramural ones deviating the endometrium is debated both ways, though generally for IVF it seems they prefer them gone,
I have had a couple of Ultrasounds too, but my previous doctors only saw reports, not films. Hopefully this doctor can sort it all out. I'm thinking that I might have to end up having a myo. I hope they can still do a lap, I really don't want to be opened up :)
I have three intramural fibroids as well. The largest one is about 5 cm; which my RE said is the size of a grapefruit. The other two are about 2 cm. I haven't had any side effects from them although my RE is surprised I don't bladder issues based on their location. My RE doesn't think they are the cause of my infertility so i haven't had them removed. We both agreed to try two IUI/injectable cycles first. So far, the first IUI combo has failed. If the second combo does not work, then we will broach the fibroid issue again. I have already had a laparascopy done last year and my wonderful OB/GYN at the time didn't remove it but only mentined it in the operative report. So, i would have to do a myomectomy if i want to remove them. Good luck to you and I'm hoping you and I don't have to be "opened up" as well. Please keep us updated!
There is not a lot of research (I could find) on fibroids and effects on hormones. The fibroids would need to be tested after removal for types of estrogen/progesterone receptors, and nobody does that.
Please, if someone has info otherwise or pointing to, post!