Stars Learn 4 Ways Fibroids Can Impact Pregnancy

If you have fibroids, you may worry about future pregnancy. Uterine fibroids  grow in your womb, and they're very common during your reproductive years. Fibroids develop as single tumors or as multiple growths. Depending on the type, size, and number of fibroids you have, they could affect your pregnancy. And, if that happens, even Hollywood actresses may be challenged.

That was the case for Greenleaf star Deborah Joy Winans when she announced her pregnancy after a fibroids journey. Just a year earlier, Winans' doctors discovered she had eight large fibroids. While she was considering her treatment options, she also learned she was pregnant. And she told Essence magazine, "When [the doctor] started to tell me the things that will happen in my body because of the fibroids and the things that the baby might face, I just was like, ‘Okay, this is really, really serious. ”

Just months later, Winans wound up in the ER with terrible pain and vomiting. There, she learned that degenerating fibroids were responsible for her misery. Next, she needed a surgical procedure to close her cervix, which was opening too soon. Following that procedure, bed rest was in order. Ultimately, she hoped to "Get to 28 [weeks]... [my doctor] knows that [the baby will] be good and healthy if he came that early. So, 28 is the goal.”

Of course, an early delivery isn’t ideal—but it can happen to women who are pregnant with fibroids. The same was true for One Tree Hill star Jana Kramer, who announced on Instagram that she had scheduled a C-section about 10 days prior to her due date “because of growing fibroid.”

Now, an early delivery isn't the only way fibroids affect pregnancy. So, what else should you expect if you’re expecting with fibroids? Here’s what you need to know.

How Fibroids Impact Pregnancy

Sometimes, fibroids make it hard to conceive. This is especially true if your growths block your fallopian tubes. You may also have a hard time getting pregnant if a fibroid in your uterus blocks a fertilized egg from implanting in your uterine lining.

Now, if you do become pregnant with fibroids, complications could include:

1. Restricted fetal growth
2. Restricted fetal movements.

1. Pre-term labor, as mentioned above.
2. An increased risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including  preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, according to this study in the Journal of Hypertension.

Additionally, fibroids can impact the delivery process, increasing your odds of having a C-section, or increasing the odds that your baby will be born in a breech position (feet first, instead of head first.)

Fibroid Treatment While Pregnant

Barring a medical emergency, you shouldn't treat fibroids during pregnancy. But if you only discover fibroids after getting pregnant, you don't need to panic. Many women who have fibroids and are pregnant won't experience any symptoms. Still, your OB will likely monitor your fibroids carefully throughout your pregnancy. That way, you'll be prepared if any complications arise.

But what if you know you have fibroids, and you're thinking about pregnancy? Especially if your fibroids are symptomatic, your physician may recommend seeking treatment before conceiving. Even though most fibroids are nothing to be concerned about, it's important to know that:

• Fibroids can cause pain during your pregnancy
• You may have an increased risk of miscarriage
• The likelihood of preterm labor is higher
• Placental abruptions can occur

UFE as an Alternative to a Hysterectomy

It is important to talk with your OB and interventional radiologist in Houston to determine the best fibroid treatment option if you are planning a pregnancy. You can learn more about UFE here., and you can request an appointment with our Houston area fibroid experts to further discuss this treatment option and learn if you may be a candidate for the procedure.

Sources: Motherly, Womenshealth.gov, Eve online