Is It Ok to Get Pregnant With Fibroids

Wondering if you can get pregnant with fibroids? The answer will be different for each person. Many women with fibroids can become pregnant naturally without treatment for infertility and have successful pregnancies with fibroids. For others, conceiving fibroids can be difficult, depending on where and how they grow.

Fibroids can affect fertility and cause pregnancy complications. If you are concerned about how fibroids may affect your pregnancy, schedule an initial consultation with your myomologist. A myomologist can help you decide if fibroid treatment is right for you before you become pregnant.

Fibromas are benign, noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. It can be as large as a grapefruit or as small as a pea. They can grow inside the uterine cavity, outside the uterine wall, or inside the uterine wall. Some women may also have multiple fibroids of different sizes. By the age of 35, about 60% of women will have fibroids, and up to 80% will develop them by the age of 50.

Women can ask a lot of questions about whether they can become pregnant with fibroids because they can cause complications before, during, and after pregnancy.

Complications of fibroid pregnancy

Are pregnancies with fibroids a high-risk group? Many women can have successful pregnancies with fibroids without complications. However, some women have difficulty conceiving fibroids.

For example, if a fibroid grows on the lining of the uterus or in the uterine cavity, it can affect the implantation and growth of the embryo, leading to infertility or miscarriage.

Also, if fibroids are large enough to distort the structure of the uterus, whether they grow in the uterine wall or into the uterine cavity, pregnancy success rates may decrease. Although experts initially thought that fibroids growing in the uterus did not affect fertility, recent research suggests that these fibroids may reduce IVF success. 

However, if you have been diagnosed with fibroids and have been treated for infertility, you can still get pregnant and have a successful pregnancy with fibroids, whether or not the fibroids are surgically removed. Although there is no guarantee that treatment will improve fertility or make myoma pregnancies easier, it is an option to discuss with your doctor. They can tell you if your fibroids are causing your infertility and the best course of action.

Fibroids can cause infertility in some women, but doctors are more likely to identify more common causes of infertility. If you have problems with fertility or maintaining a pregnancy, your doctor may be able to identify other potential causes before determining if the cause is myoma.

tips on getting pregnant with fibroids

Fibroids can reduce fertility or cause pregnancy in a variety of ways. These may include:

• Changes in the shape of the cervix that affect the number of sperm entering the uterus.
• Changes in the shape of the uterus can interfere with the movement of sperm or embryos.
• Affects the size of the lining of the uterine cavity.
• It blocks the fallopian tubes.

It affects the flow of blood to the uterine cavity, reducing the embryo's ability to implant or develop into the uterine wall.

 If you are wondering if your fibroid pregnancy can be successful, you should consult a myomologist to determine the location and size of the myoma. Ask if fibroids can interfere with pregnancy or cause problems with your ability to remain full term. You'll also want to know if treating fibroids improves your chances of getting pregnant.

Symptoms of fibroids during pregnancy

Often, women learn that they have fibroids during their first ultrasound to monitor the baby's development. Many women who experience myoma symptoms consider it normal and ignore it. When symptoms get worse, most pregnant women notice the change and seek professional help.

Common symptoms of fibromatosis during pregnancy may include:

• Severe cramps similar to menstrual cramps.
• Extensive pain and tension in the stomach.
• Digestive problems such as constipation.

The need to urinate increases because fibroids put pressure on the bladder.

More than 30% of women experience symptoms of fibroids during pregnancy, which consist of pain and bleeding. In one study, nearly 60% of women experienced pain from fibroids during the first three months of pregnancy, while more than 10% experienced only bleeding.

Pregnancy, delivery and delivery with uterine fibroids

Can I carry a baby with fibroids?

Many myoma patients have safe and healthy pregnancies. However, the size, location, and number of fibroids can affect the outcome of pregnancy. Some people with fibroids may have a premature birth or need a cesarean section (caesarean section). Fibroma is also associated with miscarriage.

For this reason, it is important to consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist to better understand how fibroids may affect future pregnancies.

What types of myoma treatments help maintain fertility?

For patients with young myomas who want to maintain their fertility, the standard treatment is called myomectomy. Unlike hysterectomy, myomectomy preserves the uterus, so pregnancy is possible even after surgery. Myomectomy can be completed through a single large incision or preferably through a minimally invasive approach.

Several factors determine whether or not you are eligible for a myomectomy. These include:

1. location of fibroids in the uterus
2. size of myoma
3. number of fibroids you have
4. age
5. overall health

At the Center for Advanced Treatment and Research of Fibroids (CATeR), our experts are highly skilled in performing robotic and laparoscopic myotomy that requires only a few small incisions. We also offer cervical myomectomy that does not require a visible incision. Sometimes a single large incision is the safest and best way to perform a myomectomy, and doctors at UChicago Medicine are also good at this approach.

Are uterine fibroids considered a high-risk group during pregnancy?

Occasionally, fibroids can grow during pregnancy, which puts the patient at risk of premature birth or loss of pregnancy.

If pregnancy is considered a high-risk group because of fibroids or other reasons, obstetricians and gynecologists and maternal-fetal medicine specialists can work together to reduce the risk for you and your baby.

How to treat or get rid of uterine fibroids during pregnancy?

Although fibroids are not removed during pregnancy, they can help manage symptoms.

Fibroids can be removed before pregnancy or after childbirth through a surgery called myomectomy. That's why we recommend working with your care team to develop the best plan for you.

Is it possible to have a “normal” or “natural” delivery with uterine fibroids?

Most people with myomas can have a vaginal birth (vaginal delivery). However, fibroids increase the risk of having a cesarean section. Patients with fibroids are six times more likely to require a cesarean section than pregnant patients without fibroids

Do uterine fibroids go away on their own after pregnancy?

In many cases, fibroids grow during pregnancy and often regress after childbirth. However, in some patients, myomas continue to cause stuffy symptoms, such as heavy menstrual bleeding. If these symptoms persist, treatments that may help are available. This includes procedures that allow you to maintain fertility if you want to become pregnant again in the future.