Fibroid Awareness Week and Pregnancy

Filed in archive Medical Issues on April 19, 2010

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Fibroid Awareness Week is April 19th through April 23rd sponsored by the Fibroid Treatment Collective and is dedicated to education about fibroids that affect 40 percent of women (50 percent of African American women). This is a great time to give helpful information about fibroids and pregnancy, infertility and a non-surgical option called embolization, as many women do not know that there are alternatives to a hysterectomy.

If you are pregnant and have fibroids, you may be able to sleep a little better at night knowing that the battle is half over. Several of the complications related to fibroids occur prior to becoming pregnant. It is because of certain types of fibroids that women experience infertility. This is often due to the fact that these fibroids may either block a fallopian tube, thereby stopping the sperm from ever reaching the egg or may bulge into the uterine cavity, changing the natural shape of the uterus and preventing a newly fertilized egg from being planted. Therefore, if you have successfully passed this stage and are now well into your pregnancy, you may have a little less to worry about.

It is not to say, however, that you will be problem-free if you have fibroids during your pregnancy. Although many fibroids do not cause any problems during pregnancy, some fibroids -especially those located in the cavity of the uterus-may increase the chance of a miscarriage (in which the pregnancy ends before 20 weeks) or may cause a woman to go into premature labor.

They may also increase the chance that the baby is not positioned to come out headfirst which can increase the need for cesarean section. Other complications due to fibroids may include discomfort, feelings of pressure, or pain.

Because of the reasons stated above and simply to ensure the proper growth of your baby, it is important to constantly have your pregnancy monitored by your physician. Although fibroids, almost never directly affect the health of your baby during pregnancy, it is necessary to keep close watch.

All things considered, if you are able to successfully deliver your baby, you should feel comforted knowing that the fibroids have no affect on the health of your newly born baby.

Go to www.fibroids.com for more info on fibroids.