Pregnancy with Fibroids & Polyps

Fibroids usually do not affect pregnancy or cause any symptoms. Most of them are very small or are located in an area of the uterus where they don’t have any impact on pregnancy. Although most pregnant women don’t even know they have fibroids, between 10 percent and 30 percent of pregnant women actually do have them.

Fibroids can sometimes cause minor symptoms. Some fibroids grow on a stalk similar to a skin tag, and if they begin to twist, a pregnant woman may experience pelvic pain and light spotting.

Fibroids do not usually increase the risk of complications with a pregnancy. However, they slightly increase the risk of having a miscarriage or preterm labor. You’re considered to be in preterm labor if you have regular contractions and dilation of the cervix before the 37th week of pregnancy.

Uterine polyps can also cause an increased risk of miscarriage in women who are trying to get pregnant by in vitro fertilization (IVF). For this reason, the polyps are usually removed before embryo transfer.

Although it’s normal for fibroids to increase in size during pregnancy, they usually do not cause problems. If the fibroids become extremely large, however, they can cause some complications. If they grow into the birth canal, they can cause difficulties with labor such as obstructed labor, a stalled labor, or the need to have a cesarean section. If they grow into the uterus, they can force the baby into an unusual position which can cause fetal malpresentation. Normally the crown of the baby’s head should come out first during delivery. Anything other than that is considered a malpresentation.

Large fibroids may also cause postpartum hemorrhaging.