Fibroids and pregnancy - are they compatible

Myoma of the uterus is one of the most common gynecological diseases in women. This diagnosis always scares a woman, especially when she is about to become a mother. All the subtleties of the development of pregnancy against the background of such a diagnosis have not yet been thoroughly studied, but developments in this area are ongoing.

What is fibroid

A tumor that is benign and develops in the muscles of the uterus is called myoma. The reason for the development of this disease is abnormal cell division of the uterus. It is assumed that this phenomenon is directly related to the increased production of estrogen and high hormonal status. In other words, fibroids are formed due to the high production of the hormone estrogen against the background of insufficient production of the hormone progesterone.

Fibroids can develop even in those conditions when the examination shows that the concentration of hormones in the blood is within the acceptable range. The reason for this is that the amount of hormones contained in the blood and in the body of the uterus can be significantly different.

Although fibroids are a very common disease, it is highly undesirable for a pregnant woman to have it. The fact is that myoma carries the risk of developing all kinds of complications and unfavorable pathological conditions. Sometimes the solution to these problems is emergency delivery or removal of the uterus.

Features of pregnancy with fibroids

This ailment is diagnosed, as a rule, by ultrasound examination. Infertility cannot be caused by the presence of fibroids, but its location can significantly complicate the fertilization process. It is best to remove the neoplasm before conception. However, this is only possible if the tumor does not exceed 12 weeks. Otherwise, the operation to remove the fibroids can lead to profuse bleeding, in which the organ itself must be removed.

Usually, pregnancy against the background of the development of fibroids has placental insufficiency. In addition, there is a high risk of termination of pregnancy. The greatest danger is the case when the fibroid is localized in the immediate vicinity of the placenta. In this case, the fibroid node does not allow the placenta to develop fully. As a result, the child receives less oxygen and nutrients. In addition, there is a high risk of placental abruption, which always causes heavy bleeding.

As pregnancy progresses, fibroids may begin to break down. As a result, the tissues of the myoma node die off, which causes the development of edema and the formation of cysts in a pregnant woman. This process can begin at any time and be accompanied by bleeding.

The presence of fibroids is not an indication that the pregnancy must be terminated. But this, of course, is a reason to pay increased attention to a pregnant woman by the attending physician. Many women successfully give birth to healthy babies with such a diagnosis, but only if the size of the neoplasm is small.

In the first weeks, direct contact between the neoplasm and the placenta may pose a danger to the formation of the fetus. In addition, due to insufficient circulation of the uterus, it is able to contract, which causes a miscarriage.

In the future, the lack of space in the uterus due to fibroids can lead to premature birth. In this case, the risk increases in direct proportion to the size of the nodes. With a strong pressure of the tumor on the fetus, deformations of the child's organs are possible or he may be born with insufficient weight.

During pregnancy, measures are usually taken to slow down the growth of fibroids. To prevent anemia, the pregnant woman is prescribed therapy, prescribes a protein diet and vitamin A B. Folic acid and vitamin C are also prescribed.

Is it possible to get pregnant with fibroids

The diagnosis of uterine fibroids does not exclude pregnancy. Difficulties with conception can be for two reasons:

• A tumor inside the uterus can prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus.
• The neoplasm node closes the passage of the fallopian tubes, which makes it impossible for the egg to meet with the sperm.

In other cases, there is every chance of becoming pregnant naturally, especially if the size of the neoplasm does not exceed 4 cm. In addition, in vitro fertilization is possible. This method of fertilization is recommended for women who, in addition to fibroids, have other diseases, for example, chronic inflammation of the genital organs or endometriosis.

In the event that it is decided to use IVF for conception, preliminary treatment is mandatory. It is aimed at reducing the size of the neoplasm. Only then is the procedure of artificial insemination possible. According to statistics, women under 35 years old with a previously treated tumor are able to successfully become pregnant in 32% of cases.

Childbirth with fibroids

We have already found out that fibroids can cause a lot of complications. In this case, the likelihood of miscarriage or premature birth is high throughout the pregnancy. Fibroids also increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

If the tumor is on the cervix, then the cervix can open painlessly even before labor begins. This provokes a miscarriage or premature birth, depending on the period. Large fibroids also lead to the same result. Due to the presence of fibroids, the child can assume an incorrect position in the uterus. This leads to the need for delivery by cesarean section.

The tumor interferes with the normal supply of oxygen and nutrition to the baby, which leads to a delay in his development. This affects the condition of the child after birth.

Another danger that occurs with fibroids is that the placenta is attached very tightly. This makes its natural outlet impossible and provokes severe bleeding. In this case, the uterus is removed.

With fibroids, many women give birth on their own and without complications. But in any case, the woman is admitted to the hospital at an earlier date. The possibility of natural childbirth is assessed by the size of the nodes of the neoplasm and the condition of the child. Possibly early rupture of amniotic fluid, premature or prolonged labor.

Caesarean section is prescribed in the case of:

• Wrong fetal position.
• The presence of scars on the body of the uterus.
• Death of tumor tissue.
• The transition of the neoplasm to cancer.
• The presence of other complications.
• The grave condition of the child.

Under certain circumstances, during a cesarean section, the tumor is removed. This usually happens when the incision goes through the fibroid or if the growth is interfering with suturing.