How do uterine fibroids affect pregnancy?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Nhu Thu Truc - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital

The problem of uterine fibroids and pregnancy is a problem that many patients with uterine fibroids who want to have children worry about. Should women with fibroids get pregnant, and under what circumstances?

1. What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are growths of the uterine muscle parenchyma. Fibroids are formed when a smooth muscle cell divides many times and grows into a solid mass that separates from the rest of the uterus.
Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease of all ages, especially women in the period of childbearing, pregnancy or menopause.
Fibroids can be in the following locations:
● Subserosal
In the myometrium
● Submucosal
● May be in the cervix or in the broad ligament.
Most women with uterine fibroids have no clinical symptoms, but they can also have symptoms such as menorrhagia, heavy bleeding, hypermenorrhoea, symptoms caused by large fibroids such as constipation, and urinary frequency. , urinary retention ...

2. Can uterine fibroids get pregnant?

If the tumor is less than 50mm in size and there are no typical symptoms of uterine fibroids, the patient can completely have a normal pregnancy. However, close monitoring is required during pregnancy. After childbirth, the following tumor can be treated.
If the tumor is over 50mm or less than 50mm but there are symptoms and complications of uterine fibroids, it is necessary to remove the tumor before pregnancy. Patients can have a normal pregnancy after 1 year from the date of cesarean section. You should not get pregnant too early to avoid post-surgery, the uterus will not recover, which will cause many risks of miscarriage.

In case women have dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation), it will be difficult to remove the tumor, making the treatment take a long time and the pregnancy rate is very low.
In some cases, uterine fibroids gradually enlarge, changing the endometrium, making it difficult for the egg implantation process. At the same time, uterine fibroids can block the fallopian tubes or cover the uterine opening, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting each other, which also reduces the ability to conceive.
However, you should still consult your doctor to decide whether to get pregnant during this period or not because in if a woman has large uterine fibroids and is pregnant, it will cause many disadvantages to her health. both mother and baby.

3. How do uterine fibroids and pregnancy affect each other?

Pregnant women with uterine fibroids may be at risk of miscarriage, premature birth:
● For the mother: Uterine fibroids can cause placenta previa, placental adhesions, placental abruption. In labor, pregnant women are at risk of having a difficult birth due to an abnormal position of the fetus, fibroids obstructing the birth canal, or causing uterine contractions, and are prone to postpartum haemorrhage. Postpartum period can stop the discharge, infection.
● For the fetus: The risk of fetal growth retardation in the uterus due to blood supply to both the fetus and fibroids. For pregnant women with large uterine fibroids, regular antenatal check-ups are not indicated.
On the contrary, due to hormonal changes that cause a woman's body to change a lot after going through pregnancy and childbirth, the postpartum process delays the return of menstruation , fibroids can shrink after giving birth for a while, making removal easier.

4. Where to check for uterine fibroids?

Regular checkups for uterine fibroids during pregnancy are essential to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a reliable address for many pregnant women in the examination and treatment of gynecological diseases, with a team of leading professional doctors in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Doctors will advise, provide treatments and care for pregnant women to have a healthy pregnancy. The equipment system at Vinmec meets international standards, and the medical examination and treatment space is luxurious and polite, helping customers to have the most comfortable and secure experience when receiving medical treatment here.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.