Pregnant with a Fibroid

I had one the size of a grapefruit that was in all three layers. It did grow a bit because of the hormones but my doc didn't put me on any restrictions or refer me to a high risk.

I did have bleeding off and on during my pregnancy during the bleeding. It was so heavy during the 5th week we thought we miscarried.

I did end up having a c-section because of where the fibroid was (low and to the right). We weren't sure if the baby could make it past so we opted to schedule the birth instead of risking an emergency operation during labor.

You may want to seek a second opinion regarding the need for a high risk doctor and the restrictions.

Oh and if the baby is really active with the punching and kicking you may feel like your stomach has been run over by a bus. Hopefully your little tot won't use it like a soccer ball like mine did for a while.

Well I have had the Fibroid tumor before and if it is anything like I had the tumor grows. Mine was the size of a grapefruit by the time they found it. Luckily I was not pregnant at the time. I would be careful because of being pregnant. My doctor was very worried you could even see it on his face when he found mine. Maybe because of the size of it I don't know. The thing is that I was not allowed to lift things over 10 lbs and I had to be really careful. The surgery was scheduled pretty quick. So I would think if you were pregnant on top of it be really careful and try not to over do it.

Congratulations!

When I had my first child 18 months ago, I had 3 fibroids. The only concern was off an on bleeding. The bleeding was caused by the fibroid. I had a great pregnancy and a great delivery. My son was only a few days early (thank God!). He was a whopping 9lbs. My son is fine and running all over the place now.

I prayed each day that things would go well and they did.

I, also, had a fybroid during my first pregnancy. The location was in the uterus and was growing, along with the baby. Hormones contributed to the growth of my fybroid. I had several trips to the ER because of the position, spotting, and cramping.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE ALARMED BY MY STORY....I JUST WANTED TO SHARE IT!!

on a early Sunday morning in February of 2003(which was a blizzard-the highways weren't even plowed), my husband and I had to make a trip to the hospital(AGAIN)because I was bleeding alot. I thought I was having a miscarriage, but I was hemmoraging. By the time, we reached the hospital, our entire passenger seat of our car was drenched in blood.
The staff rushed me to a room, hooked me up to the monitors and said that the baby needed to be delivered NOW. NOW, I thought, I was only at 28 weeks. My due date was May 11th.
So, at 12:15pm on February 23, 2003, our daughter entired the world. She weighed a whopping 2 pounds, 9 ounces and was 15 1/2 inches long. She had to stay in the hospital's NICU for 45 days. She just need to grow. Everything developed just fine

I am happy to say that my daughter is now 5 years old and very, very health.

I would totally listen to EVERYTHING that your doctors tell you, but also, listen to YOU!! You know your body and what your body should feel like and what is weird!

Good luck to you!

Hi M.. You got overwhelming responses to your question so I won't say everything all over again. Just wanted to add one thing. I had a fibroid that started to die due to the pressure put on it when the uterus began expanding. They had to surgically remove it because the blood flow to it had been cut off and I would have been in excruciating pain until it was removed. So, I think the reason your doc is putting so many restrictions on you is to keep the fibroid from being "injured" and avoiding having to remove it during the pregnancy. I had surgery at 23 weeks pregnant and had a very healthy full term baby (I even had to be induced to get her to come out haha). Good luck and keep us updated on how your pregnancy is going.

Please be careful. I had a friend with very large fibroids which caused complications during her pregnancy - she went into labor and delivered her little boy at 24 weeks. He was in the NICU for a very long time. Fortunately he is okay and for all the worry and surgeries he had in his early days he is very healthy and the only long time problem he has from being so premature are slight vision ones. My friend, however, was in pain a long time after her delivery from the fibroids and had is afraid to conceive again because she has been told they will grow again. Her fibroids (more than one) were very large though - including one the size of a grapefruit. Good luck.

I have a friend that had several large fibroids when she was pregnant. The first time, it caused her pretty severe pain when she did anything physical. She was put on bedrest at about 8 months. Sounds like what your doc prescribed. She got pregnant with her second, and the fibroids never bothered her. So, I'd say it sort of hit and miss. I'm no expert though. The best thing to do is to follow your doctor's advice.

Hi M.!

Congratulations on expecting your first little one! I also had a fibroid with my second pregnancy. It has been there all along my doctor thought but went undetected in my first pregnancy since it was so small. With pregnancy hormones and such it grew slightly and was seen on my level 2 ultrasound with my second pregnancy. I was considered "advanced maternal age" (only 35!!) with my second so they usually do a more in depth ultrasound for that reason. I was told not to worry and that it was more common than I thought. So anyway... all is well and I have 2 great kiddos now. No sign of the fibroid growing (it's still there) and I just go to my regular checkups now. I am sure everyones circumstances can be different. i.e. position of fibroid, size, etc... so I hope your situation turns out as positive as mine did. I wish you luck and take care. Use that rest time - you will need it! LOL!

Hi M.,

I think your doctor is being wise and cautious. I know plenty of moms who have given birth with few or no complications. Just follow his advice and advise him of any changes. After all, that little bundle of joy you are caring is worth it:)

V.

Fibroids are VERY oommon and they usually grow bigger during pregnancy, then shrink back down afterwards. Around 80% of women have them, but most do not know it. Most are harmless. I have 3 and 1 of them grew big with every pregnancy. Like most women, I found out during my 1st pregnancy. I had excruciating pain for a few hours and went to the ER. I was put on bedrest for a week and within 2 days of doing nothing (along with safe painkillers) the pain went away completely. It had grown to the size of a grapefruit during that pregnancy. The bad pain never came back, but I took it easy. At the first hint of pain, I stopped what I was doing and took it extra-easy for a day or two. I never had specific restrictions like your doc gave you.

During my 2nd pregnancy, and 3rd pregnancy, it grew to the size of a baseball and I never had any pain. I would get that 'twinge' every once in awhile and immediately stop what I was doing and took it easy (easier said than done with other young children at home!).

There were no complications with the pregnancy or delivery and by the 6 week postpartum checkup everything was back to normal. Now, sometimes the fibroids are located in a spot that will cause complications during delivery but mine weren't.

I had two or three fibroids and my doctor was not too concerned about them. He just told me not to run myself ragged but I was not on any restrictions like you. I had no problems due to the fibroids during my pregnancy.

I had a history of fibroids, after I had one the size of a grapefruit removed, Dr. told me that they would return in 4 to 5 months. It has been 4 years and they have not returned. I went on a vegetarian diet (drastic to most). I don't recommend it while pregnant. I do eat as organic as posible. I believe that dairy and meats, can be so loaded with added growth hormones that they actually make the fibroids grow. You might want to try organic meats and dairy (more expensive, but worth every penny, Trader Joes is resonable). Also up your fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. It definetaly can't hurt and can only help. I also avoid high fructose corn syrup, msg, splenda and aspartame. I wish you a very healthy pregancy.

During my C-section, I was told I had 3 large orange size fibroids. I had no problems from these during pregnancy and was not aware of them even. I don't expect you would have many problems-I moved across country (+18 hours driving) 2 times, started a new job with long hours, and moved into a house during my pregnancy. Not fun, but no problems with the fibroids! Good luck. I would say enjoy the lighter work load and not scrubbing floors while you can! I haven't had any problems after pregnancy either, although I think it is good to be aware of the fibroids and that they can cause problems during and after pregnancy.

you can get a second opinion:)

M.
(birth doula)

I have a good friend who has fibroids - had her first child at 35 after many attempts - the fibroids grew along with the baby but still she had a healthy infant who weighed in at 5# 6oz. The doc told her she would probably have some difficulty conceiving again - so long story short, unbenounced to found herself happily pregnant again, right away and delivered a 7# baby girl - fibroids didn't grow that time. So, I think your doc is protecting you and your bundle. The no sex thing is a bummer - but that restriction along with the others might be lifted. I had placenta previa with #4 daughter and had restrictions and spotting for the first tri-mester - and it all turned out fine. If you are an active person it probably feels like a terrible sentence - but hang in there!!!! Get yourself a maid and enjoy!

M., We are in the active stages of In-Vitro & my Dr.'s told me the same. I do have fibroids in my uterus, but, they told me it should pose no problem at all. I'm sure your Dr. is being cautious with giving you the restrictions. I most likely will have the same type of restrictions b/c of my age (44) & having a first child. I'm a patient at the Clev. Clinic & as you know, they know their stuff. So, I'm not worried, as you shouldn't be either. Hey, good luck & let us all know when your little miracle arrives !
A. B.
Medina, OH
"There's No Place Like Home Childcare"

I had 3 miscarriages before my uterine fibroid was discovered. Fibroids can cause miscarriages and that is why your doctor sent you to a high risk ob/gyn. When I was pregnant with my oldest son I went to a high risk doctor as well. He put me on all of the same restrictions as you have except he didn't tell me I could not have sex. He is just being cautious so you can have a happy, healthy pregnancy. I'm not so sure that you can't have sex at all though. I would suggest speaking to another high risk doctor to get a second opinion on that. I wouldn't worry too much because high risk doctors are trained for situations like this. Should you have any issues arise such as abnormal bleeding or anything like that call him or her asap! I'm sure you will be fine and the baby will be fine as well. Congratualtions on the expecting of your first baby!!
D.
I am 31. I have been married going on 12 yrs. this Nov.. My husband and I have 3 wonderful boys ages 10,7 and 4.

Also, your high risk doctor will probably want to see you more often than what a regular ob/gyn. would just because of the fibroid. Be prepared for lots of doctor visits. I was going it seemed all the time throughout my entire pregnancy with my 3 boys.

I had a fibroid with my second child. My doctor kept an eye on it, but I was not put on any of the restrictions that you are mentioning. My pregnancy was fine, and my daughter was born naturally and no complications. I have also had another pregnancy since then, and no fibroids were mentioned.