Preg w/broids, uterus size, request for good thoughts

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Hello All,

Here's a combo posting in response to a question about

getting pregnant with fibroids, uterus size while in

the same condition, and a request for good thoughts

during the next few weeks.

I'm 34 weeks pregnant today. I'm 36 and have multiple

fibroids (2 large, a few medium now, and several

marble sized). The biggest ones were more than 12x12

cm each at their peak. All shrank somewhat during the

second trimester. My biggest is now about 8x8 and the

other large one has been reduced to half its size

(from a bout with acute degeneration at week 15, which

required a brief stay in the hospital for pain meds).

The best news is that I've passed the point where my

doctor considers me at higher risk for pre-term labor;

the less exciting news is that the big broid has been

sitting on my cervix for the past few months. It is

pulling a bit to the right now. If it doesn't scoot

over some more, though, there's no way for the baby to

get out except by c-section. My request is for good

thoughts from the LOL for just a little more movement

of that fibroid so that I can avoid surgery for

delivery in the next few weeks. (Obviously, the

fibroids themselves can't move; rather their relative

position in the uterus changes as it expands and

grows. So please visualize the whole uterus doing this

little bit of extra work to get things ready.)

As for uterus size and complications, Ann-- don't

worry about your uterus being ahead of your pregnancy

for a while. I measured 12 weeks ahead of my pregnancy

at one point. Your doctor may tell you that uterus

size varies considerably among women generally, and of

course, fibroids will play a role in that, too. It

really isn't much of a concern. That differential will

change as your pregnancy progresses. I now measure

only about 2 weeks ahead of the norm. A larger uterus

now does not mean that you'll be gigantic or that

you're moving too fast. It just means you're building

a good nest! It might also mean that you gain weight

quickly. I put on nearly half of my total preg. weight

in the first 10 weeks. I'm sure the extra chocolate

had a little to do with it, but it was mostly

increased blood volume, etc. I then hardly gained any

weight for months, and now I'm at the lower end of the

range. Not to worry.

I'll write again once baby Max (?) makes his

appearance. But I'll just say for now that for the

most part the fibroids have played only a very little

role in my pregnancy. I mentioned the degeneration

above (and in an earlier posting about 16 weeks ago).

Other than that, some mild discomfort from slower

degeneration, and some extra contractions

periodically, things have been uneventful. I have even

been able to be fully active, including running, and

just last week I finished the NY Mini Marathon 10k

with my sister. She was pregnant for the same event

last year, so it was a special race for us. Some luck

and an OB with lots of experience with fibroid

patients have been my keys to a successful pregnancy

(so far!).

Finally, a big thanks to Carla and the other women who

showed up for yesterday's meet-up in NYC. It was very

informative, and I really enjoyed meeting everyone.

Best wishes,

Christa