#WCW: Porsha Williams' Pregnancy with Fibroids

We have already celebrated  Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams as our #WomanCrushWednesday because of her bravery, and now we're back at it again. After years of struggling with fertility and miscarriage due to uterine fibroids, she was finally pregnant--and ready to share her story, giving other women hope for their own happy endings. 

But just a few months later, Porsha, now well into her pregnancy, was taken to the hospital, reportedly because of complications from a large fibroid tumor.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in a woman's uterus. Prior to becoming pregnant, Porsha had undergone myomectomy surgery to remove a fibroid, but clearly a new one has developed. According to People.com, Porsha "is suffering some pregnancy complications due to large fibroids. She was admitted to the hospital and will be staying a little longer than expected. Heartbeat and baby are strong.”

While Porsha was released from hospital with her baby still on the inside, she's now opening up about her experience in an interview with Bravo TV. According to Porsha, "I am in my second trimester, so I am definitely more than halfway through the pregnancy. I had that one little scare, when I had to go to the hospital, but since then I haven’t had any issue with the fibroids."

We certainly hope that Porsha's pregnancy and delivery continue to progress smoothly but, unfortunately, fibroids can make it more difficult for pregnant women to carry their babies to term. Fibroids can also complicate the delivery process, especially if they are located near the opening of a woman's cervix.

Pregnancy and Fibroids: What You Need to Know

Pregnancy with fibroids is possible, but the growths can cause complications. Between 10 and 30 percent of pregnant fibroid sufferers will experience complications. Problems range from mild to severe, and can include:

• Abdominal pain
• Light vaginal bleeding
• Increased risk of premature delivery
• Abnormal fetal position
• Increased risk of miscarriage
• Increased risk of cesarean section

Treating Fibroids During Pregnancy

In an ideal situation, a woman's fibroids would be treated before she became pregnant. Many women, however, don't know they have fibroids until after they've conceived! Once a pregnant woman is found to have fibroids, most symptoms can be treated with minimal intervention. With the help of bed rest, and occasional pain medications (as prescribed by your OBGYN) most fibroid symptoms will resolve within a few days.

Firboids should also be monitored throughout your pregnancy. The hormonal changes affecting your body during this time may cause the tumors to get bigger. In some case, the hormones have the opposite effect, shrinking the fibroids as your baby grows.

Whatever your situation or symptoms, staying aware of your fibroid symptoms during your pregnancy will help ensure a safe and on time delivery for your baby. Once your child is born, you can determine the best treatment option for your specific situation.