Fibroid Questions re. Pregnancy Planning
0 Replies
runtotorun121 - March 2

Hi. I am 38 years old and have never had any health problems. I am getting married in May, so I when I went to my annual OB/GYN exam in early February I talked with the physician about pregnancy planning because my fiance and I would like to become pregnant.

After talking about different issues she performed her exam and suggested an Ultrasound because she felt my uterus was enlarged, and she diagnosed fibroids.
This was a surprise because there were no problems at last year's exam, and I have no symptoms of fibroids.

The entire experience in her office was horrible and frightening, but I mobilized and scheduled my ultrasound. Unfortunately, the ultrasound report was almost completely useless with its limited information and the poor imaging done by the tech. This is frustrating due to the extremely expensive fee, and my insurance will not likely cover a second ultrasound.

I have been reading books and participating in a fibroid forum, and I also had a consultation with an interventional radiologist who performs UAE (UFE), but I cannot seem to get some basic answers to a few of my questions.

I am hoping someone may have some experience or be able to direct me toward a resource or way to find the answers to some of my questions. I was reading the questions and answers on the GYNO page at http://www.wdxcyber.com/m2fibrod.htm#m09
by Frederick R. Jelovsek MD
Fibroids - Uterine Leiomyomata,
and I was hoping there was somewhere to post questions to professionals since it had the appearance that Dr. Jelovsek responsed to fibroid questions somewhere, but when I clicked on teh link to the message board I did not see any fibroid specific areas.

So any information or help is so greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance for your time and reply.

Here is the limited information in my Ultrasound report: "FINDINGS: Neither ovary is identified. There is a prominent bulbous configuration of the fundus of the uterus with a dominant 8cm fibroid noted. The uterus measures 11.3cm x 7.4cm x 7.8cm. There is a probably second fibroid involving the anterior segment in size range of 2cm. The endometrial stripe is obliterated by the dominant fibroid. IMPRESSION: The uterus is lobulated and moderately enlarged with a dominant fundal fibroid as noted above."

So. The Interventional Radiologist reviewed my films after I received this report, and he stated that he would consider the 8cm fibroid as moderate but not large. He couldn't tell me anything about the 2cm fibroid. He was more than taken aback when he learned I was consulting with him without my having any fibroid symptoms at all, but he then acknowledged that with my age and wanting to develop the best informed plan for pregnancy options that looking into information even with asymtomatic fibroids made sense.

We do not have the time to "wait and see" that we would have if we were younger and beginning this process.

So I have been asking about what is the specific problem or complications with pregnancy from an enlarged uterus?

How does a fundal fibroid, which I understand to be on the top of the uterus cause any enlargement if it is not within the uterine cavity? Can fundal mean "within the top" rather than on the top?

And, I need some direction about the statment that "The endometrial stripe is obliterated by the dominant fibroid." I have been searching the internet for a definition of the endometrial stripe and can find nothing. I can only find articles citing endometrial stripe for ovarian cancer issues.

I am unclear about the function of the endometrial stripe and its part of pregnancy. When I define obliterated it can either mean destroyed or unable to view/discern so, of course, I have no idea what the impact is on pregnancy planning.

And, finally, (at least for now because me head is so full of questions), if the uterine cavity has any distortion from a fibroid that might complicate a fertilized egg from implanting there, am I ignorant to think that the egg may still implant anywhere else that is not at that specific area?

I apologize for the lengthy email, but I am hopeful I can get some of my questions answered.

Thank you,
Kristie

 

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