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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the risk associated with fibroids during pregnancy?

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    Fibroids Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
    After years of infertility issues, the recommendation was to have surgery to remove my Fibroids x2 6-7cm around the lower uterus and bladder plus several smaller ones throughout. I've just fallen pregnant one month before my surgery, my 6 weeks now first scan was great, good heart beat. Will the pregnancy be in danger when the baby gets bigger? How would this effect labour, natural birth or c-section?
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    • Dr Bryan Kenny
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    Dr Bryan Kenny

    Gynaecologist, Obstetrician

    Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope all is going well at this exciting time!

    There is actually conflicting evidence as to the risks that fibroids may or may not pose during pregnancy. Individualised advice would depend on your past gynaecological and obstetric history as well as the size, number and exact location of the fibroids.

    Having said that, generally it is thought that fibroids may give a slightly increased risk of some complications during pregnancy (pain or discomfort, increase in size, vaginal bleeding, breech or other fetal positions, preterm delivery, placental complications) or delivery (slower labour, increased risk of emergency caesarean delivery, heavier bleeding after delivery), but the evidence is not absolutely conclusive in any of these areas.

    In terms of delivery, in most cases (unless the fibroids are blocking the birth canal or causing baby to adopt a breech or other position not suitable for vaginal birth) an attempted vaginal birth is quite reasonable in the absence of any other obstetric reason to avoid a vaginal birth.

    One of the mostimportant things is that your individual circumstances are taken into account with any advice that you are given and to remember that circumstances may change.

    Having said all of this, the most important thing for you to take away is that the vast majority of women who are pregnant and who also have fibroids have uneventful pregnancies and deliveries.

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