Re: infertility/fibroids

[Guest guest]

Dear Carla

Thankyou for your words of knowledge and wisdom. As you can see from what I have said previously, I have tried to become pregnant, even though I did not know I had the fibroids. The fibroids were discovered on the 4th miscarriage which happened at 19 weeks. The other babies were lost by the 9th week.

I had no investigative procedures to find out why I was miscarrying, even though I did ask my doctor to refer me for a scan after the 3rd miscarriage, he said there was no need. I was so niave, I hadn't even heard of fibroids before this happened to me.

I had been trying to conceive for 2 years after my 2nd miscarriage. Everyone said to me, I've got to relax, it'll happen soon, nobody mentioned fibroids. I thought that as long as I was having regular smear tests, that everything was alright. I must confess I did start to wonder why I was not getting pregnant after the 2nd loss and did get my doctor to refer me to the hospital for tests about a year after that, but did not want to believe that there was anything wrong with me, I kept hoping if I miss the appointments, I'll be pregnant next month or something like that, I was in turmoil and still am really.

My Gynocological care has been lacking. I am angry, but I still have a chance so am counting on this myomectomy to put me on the right track again. I had no symptoms, no heavy bleeding, although I did get some period pains, I thought this was normal. When I went for my yearly scan, nobody gave me an abdominal examination, I didn't even know I was supposed to have one.

My fibroids are mainly subceral and submucosal. I have about 7 or 8, the largest being 8cm. When I was pregnant they were pressing against my uretha, leading to my bladder, I was in the most excruciating pain ever imaginable. There was a woman who was also pregnant the same time as me and she had fibroids, but they were situated at the top, she now has a beautiful baby girl. So yes, the location and size are of paramount importance when it comes to fertility.

bye for now

Re: infertility/fibroidsTina wrote: My name is , |'m using my sisters computer who is Tina . What did you mean by doable procedure. I really want a family and unfortunately have lost 4 babies due to fibroids. The fibroids were only discovered when I had my 12 week scan during pregnancy. I am due to have a myomectomy on the 11th January 01. I have no live births, and have looked at other options, and from the information I have seen realise myomectomy is the best option for me. I realise that adhesions due to surgery could render me infertile, but am willing to take that chance, after reading all these success stories. I have not read many success stories of conception through Uterine Artery Embolisation.

Thanks for straightening me out on the name confusion. I'm normally quite horrible with remembering names anyway -- so added confusion gets my head spinning in circles! What I mean by " doable " in terms of myomectomy, has a great deal to do with location, size, and number of fibroids. These variables can mean either a rather easy myomectomy that does not disrupt the overall condition of the uterus OR they can mean a major laparotomy that destroys the ability of the uterus to successfully carry a child to term without rupturing -- with many variables in between those 2 ends of the spectrum with myomectomy. If fibroids put a woman at the worst end of the myomectomy spectrum (lets say 25 fibroids of varying sizes located all over the uterus), a patient may want to consider a UAE instead because the myomectomy surgery to remove those fibroids may well render the uterus unable to viably carry a child to term without rupturing. Does that make sense? On the other hand, a submucosal fibroid or a subserosal fibroid may be easy to remove via hysteroscopy or laparoscopy while UAE might pose much greater risks. Understanding the treatment options and the risks posed by each, has a lot to do with your individual fibroid situation. I'm so sorry to read that you've lost 4 babies. I'm a little confused (again! it's been a bad morning here in Whoville for me!) though, about the diagnosis of fibroids as the potential cause. The fibroids were discovered with the 4th pregnancy? After the first, second, or even third miscarriage, what diagnostics did you undergo to try and determine the causes of miscarriage prior to conceiving the fourth time? I'm no doctor . Just someone trying to help women understand the issues the best way I know how to. I can definitely empathize with your desire to have children. Losing one pregnancy is a tremendous sorrow when a child is desperately desired -- I can't imagine losing 4. I hope your myomectomy is successful too. I'll definitely be rooting for you. Carla Dionne Executive Director National Uterine Fibroids Foundation 1 (877) 553-NUFF mailto:carla@... http://www.NUFF.org /list/uterinefibroids " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has. " Margaret Mead