Update - BABY ARRIVED with 12 cm fibroid!!!

[Guest guest]

As an update - I have posted many questions related to pregnancy and

fibroids, particularly after I miscarried in April 2003. I have 2

intramural fibroids; one that was 8cm pre-preg that grew to 13cm

during preg and completely blocked my cervix. The other was much

smaller on the fundus of my uterus and only grew to about 4cm during

preg. I had one round of degeneration this preg btwn 17-18 weeks

that had me in the hospital on morphine for a week and then on

bedrest for 3 weeks after.

Anyway, I had done some shopping on 4/25, so with the increased

walking, I wasn't too concerned that I was having pain on the

following Monday and Tuesday - especially since it was worse on the

side my fibroid was. By Tuesday afternoon however, my DH convinced

me to call the OB and they sent me to L&D for observation and to make

sure I wasn't in labor.

Well, I got there and I was contracting pretty regularly. The issue

then became was I contracting because I was actually in labor or was

I contracting because my fibroid was going through more degeneration

and it was irritating my uterus. My cervix hadn't changed at all,

but they didn't want to rely on that because the placement of my

biggest fibroid could have prevented my cervix from dilating

altogether. I had an u/s which then raised some concerns that the

placenta could have a small tear near where the fibroid began. At

this point we had a big discussion about the risks of waiting versus

the risks of delivering at 35 weeks. With the added concern of a

possible abruption beginning, we went with delivery.

Since we were already planning a c-section, I wasn't too concerned

with that aspect of everything - but I couldn't quite grasp the fact

that I had been at work that morning and that we were so unprepared

for having this baby this early!!! Crazy I know, but that was what I

was obsessing over.

Anyway, my parents and sister came to the hospital and we got things

rolling. The spinal wasn't too bad, but I hated that electrical

feeling as it traveled down my back. They didn't overdo it, so I did

still have control over my arms, etc. It is soooooo strange though

to not be able to move your legs and feet - it was like there was a

disconnect between my brain and body! I had to consciously stop

thinking about it because I was making myself hyperventilate. I also

had uncontrollable shakes and nausea which they kept giving me

injections to control.

My DH and I had to laugh though, because once they opened me up, all

we could hear was WOW, that is a really big fibroid, Wow, that's

huge, Why don't you go get the medical students to see!!!! They had

to do a vertical skin and uterine incision because of where the

fibroid was, so recovery has been a bit harder but honestly hasn't

been that bad. It also means repeat c's without question.

Anyway, at 8:04pm on April 27, Ethan entered the world

screaming at the top of his lungs. He was delivered at 35 weeks, 2

days, and weighed 5 lbs. 14 oz and was 19 inches long.

I got out of the hospital May 3 because I got an infection and spiked

a fever for 3 days. I didn't mind though because the only damper on

everything has been that Ethan was admitted to the special care

nursery and didn't get to come home until May 6. His lungs were just

slightly premature which caused his respiratory rate to be really

high. This was coupled with the fact that like most c-s babies, he

had some leftover fluid in his lungs. He has been home now for

almost a week and all has been great!

My OB and my RE do not think that they will recommend that I have the

fibroid removed - they are both of the opinion that due to the size

and location, removal would take a good chunk out of my uterus and

could weaken it too much to risk a second pregnancy, however, they

both want to reevaluate that in about a year. At this point I could

care less since I am still just soooo happy about Ethan and because

my fibroids have always been asymptomatic when I am not pregnant.

Anyway, this is my extremely long-winded birth story!! I wanted to

thank all of the people who answered my incessant questions about

pregnancy and fibroids - you have guided me to asking the right

questions and I think helped us to get to a positive outcome. I also

wanted to post this to give others hope who are in the same shoes!

LeeAnne

[Guest guest]

Dear LeeAnne,

Congratualtions!!! I too had a c-section (last December) at 37

weeks. I had no bleeding or degeneration though, but I did have more

amniotic fluid than normal. Healthy Baby Liam weighed 6lbs 5 oz and

19 inches long. I heard the same thing as you, " Wow its the size of

a soccer ball! " I hope to have my surgery scheduled (myo)soon, and I

am finished having children. I hope and pray everything goes well

for you and future pregnancies.

ps

I had 3 miscarriages in about 2 1/2 yrs. but am pretty sure they were

not due to fibroids as it wasnt seen til my third miscarriage and it

was only the size of a quarter at that time. Prolly due to my age as

I was over 40 and am now 44 so my boy is a miracle )

[Guest guest]

Hooray for you and little Ethan!!!!

I must say, I feel quite a kinship with you - as my twins, born

March 8th, arrived at 35 weeks and 2 days via vertical c-section due

to a 10x14cm roid!

It is so great that you posted your birth story--- it will give a

lot of hope to women. Please keep me posted on your recovery. Mine

has been excrutiatingly slow and my fibroid is now taking center

stage . . . I would love to swap recovery " war stories " with you as

you heal!

Very best to you and baby Ethan! Congratulations, again.

> Anyway, at 8:04pm on April 27, Ethan entered the world

> screaming at the top of his lungs. He was delivered at 35 weeks,

2

> days, and weighed 5 lbs. 14 oz and was 19 inches long.

>

[Guest guest]

" lmmlaw00 "

Congratulations on the birth of Ethan !!

I hope you are feeling well LeeAnne. Best wishes for your recovery!

Aztek

__________________________________________________________________

Two website groups you may know already:

Yahoo fibroids and fertility

ttc Myomectomy

There are also ladies with fibroids or post fibroid op's who have

had babies not so long ago at 'The Fibroid Place'

__________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

" lmmlaw00 "

Congratulations on the birth of Ethan !!

I hope you are feeling well LeeAnne. Best wishes for your recovery!

Aztek

__________________________________________________________________

Two website groups you may know already:

Yahoo fibroids and fertility

ttc Myomectomy

There are also ladies with fibroids or post fibroid op's who have

had babies not so long ago at 'The Fibroid Place'

__________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

" lmmlaw00 "

Congratulations on the birth of Ethan !!

I hope you are feeling well LeeAnne. Best wishes for your recovery!

Aztek

__________________________________________________________________

Two website groups you may know already:

Yahoo fibroids and fertility

ttc Myomectomy

There are also ladies with fibroids or post fibroid op's who have

had babies not so long ago at 'The Fibroid Place'

__________________________________________________________________