WOMEN diagnosed with fibroids often become concerned that they may not be able to get pregnant, or that the chances of them becoming pregnant are slim. However, doctors say this should not be a concern as women can in fact become pregnant despite the presence of fibroids.

"Women can indeed become pregnant if they have fibroids," general practitioner Dr Orlando Thomas said. "This does not prevent them from becoming pregnant at all."

He explained, however, that fibroids have been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. But this is dependent on where on the uterus the fibroid is located.

"If the fibroid is located on the outside of the uterus (subserosal) or near the cervix, these are considered problem areas during pregnancy," Dr Thomas said.

Fibroids are muscular tumours that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). They can grow as a single tumour, or there can be many of them in the uterus. Some can be the size of a grapefruit, while others can be the size of a walnut.

If the fibroids grow into the uterine cavity (submucosal), it can affect the shape and internal environment of the womb, which can make it more difficult to become pregnant.

Some pregnant women do experience minor symptoms, particularly pelvic pain and light spotting. This is especially common if you experience fibroid torsion, when a fibroid growing on a stalk begins to twist.

Other problems that can be encountered are premature labour and bleeding, but these are rare.

Though fibroids tend to grow in size during pregnancy, it is unlikely that they will cause any symptoms. Most pregnant women will not even know that the fibroids are there. After pregnancy they tend to shrink in size.

If you are pregnant and have fibroids, you should seek help from your gynaecologist/obstetrician.

If you are still suffering from symptoms after delivery, treatments are available.

While these complications are possible, what should be noted is that most women with fibroids have normal pregnancies and deliveries.

-- Donna Hussey-Whyte

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