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James Rivera — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
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How to Handle Deal with Fibroids During Pregnancy Step by Step

When deal with fibroids during pregnancy leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Medical Treatments

1

Get regular prenatal checkups to monitor your fibroids.

Get regular prenatal checkups to monitor your fibroids.
If you already had fibroids before pregnancy, make sure to let your obstetrician know. They will examine your fibroids during routine ultrasounds and pelvic exams to check for any potential complications or changes in the size of your fibroids.
  • If you already had fibroids before pregnancy, make sure to let your obstetrician know.
  • They will examine your fibroids during routine ultrasounds and pelvic exams to check for any potential complications or changes in the size of your fibroids.
  • If you already had fibroids before pregnancy, make sure to let your obstetrician know.
  • They will examine your fibroids during routine ultrasounds and pelvic exams to check for any potential complications or changes in the size of your fibroids.
  • If you already had fibroids before pregnancy, make sure to let your obstetrician know.
2

Ask your doctor about using medications if your fibroids are painful.

Ask your doctor about using medications if your fibroids are painful.
Abdominal pain is the most common symptom associated with fibroids during pregnancy. If your fibroids are causing you pain, talk to your doctor. They may recommend pain medications, such as indomethacin (a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
  • Abdominal pain is the most common symptom associated with fibroids during pregnancy.
  • If your fibroids are causing you pain, talk to your doctor.
  • They may recommend pain medications, such as indomethacin (a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
  • Abdominal pain is the most common symptom associated with fibroids during pregnancy.
  • If your fibroids are causing you pain, talk to your doctor.
3

Talk to your doctor if you experience bleeding during your pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor if you experience bleeding during your pregnancy.
In some cases, fibroids can cause bleeding during your pregnancy, especially if your placenta is located close to a fibroid. If you notice spotting or bleeding during your pregnancy, call your doctor. They can examine you to make sure the bleeding is not a sign of a more serious complication.
  • In some cases, fibroids can cause bleeding during your pregnancy, especially if your placenta is located close to a fibroid.
  • If you notice spotting or bleeding during your pregnancy, call your doctor.
  • They can examine you to make sure the bleeding is not a sign of a more serious complication.
  • In some cases, fibroids can cause bleeding during your pregnancy, especially if your placenta is located close to a fibroid.
  • If you notice spotting or bleeding during your pregnancy, call your doctor.
4

Be prepared for a cesarean section

Be prepared for a cesarean section
if your fibroids interfere with delivery. In rare cases, large fibroids can make it difficult for your baby to get into the right position for birth. A fibroid low in the uterus can also block the birth canal or interfere with the proper dilation of the cervix during childbirth. In those cases, a c-section may be necessary.
  • if your fibroids interfere with delivery.
  • In rare cases, large fibroids can make it difficult for your baby to get into the right position for birth.
  • A fibroid low in the uterus can also block the birth canal or interfere with the proper dilation of the cervix during childbirth.
  • In those cases, a c-section may be necessary.
  • if your fibroids interfere with delivery.
5

Discuss getting surgery if your fibroids are causing severe pain.

Discuss getting surgery if your fibroids are causing severe pain.
Because of the risks to you and your baby, most doctors do not recommend surgery to remove fibroids during pregnancy. However, in very rare cases—for example, if your pain is extremely severe and doesn’t respond to other treatments—your doctor may consider surgical treatment.
  • Because of the risks to you and your baby, most doctors do not recommend surgery to remove fibroids during pregnancy.
  • However, in very rare cases—for example, if your pain is extremely severe and doesn’t respond to other treatments—your doctor may consider surgical treatment.
  • Because of the risks to you and your baby, most doctors do not recommend surgery to remove fibroids during pregnancy.
  • However, in very rare cases—for example, if your pain is extremely severe and doesn’t respond to other treatments—your doctor may consider surgical treatment.
  • Because of the risks to you and your baby, most doctors do not recommend surgery to remove fibroids during pregnancy.
Part 2

Risks and Concerns

1

Talk to your doctor about how fibroids may affect your pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor about how fibroids may affect your pregnancy.
Not all fibroids are the same. Your risk of developing complications related to your fibroids will depend on factors such as how many fibroids you have, how big they are, and where they are located. Before worrying about what might happen, have a talk with your doctor about your fibroids and the potential problems they could pose during your pregnancy. They will likely be able to put your mind at ease!
  • Not all fibroids are the same.
  • Your risk of developing complications related to your fibroids will depend on factors such as how many fibroids you have, how big they are, and where they are located.
  • Before worrying about what might happen, have a talk with your doctor about your fibroids and the potential problems they could pose during your pregnancy.
  • They will likely be able to put your mind at ease!
  • Not all fibroids are the same.
2

Recognize the increased risk of miscarriage with fibroids.

Recognize the increased risk of miscarriage with fibroids.
Unfortunately, fibroids can slightly increase your chances of having a miscarriage early in your pregnancy. The chances are a little higher if you have multiple fibroids or if the fibroids are located relatively high up in your uterus. If you are pregnant and have fibroids, talk to your doctor about how to recognize the signs of a possible miscarriage so you can seek appropriate medical care right away.
  • Unfortunately, fibroids can slightly increase your chances of having a miscarriage early in your pregnancy.
  • The chances are a little higher if you have multiple fibroids or if the fibroids are located relatively high up in your uterus.
  • If you are pregnant and have fibroids, talk to your doctor about how to recognize the signs of a possible miscarriage so you can seek appropriate medical care right away.
  • Unfortunately, fibroids can slightly increase your chances of having a miscarriage early in your pregnancy.
  • The chances are a little higher if you have multiple fibroids or if the fibroids are located relatively high up in your uterus.
3

Discuss the potential for complications during delivery.

Discuss the potential for complications during delivery.
In some cases, fibroids can cause problems during or immediately after delivery, such as excessive bleeding or difficulty delivering the placenta. If your doctor thinks you are at risk of any of these complications, they can make plans to prevent or manage these issues during your delivery.
  • In some cases, fibroids can cause problems during or immediately after delivery, such as excessive bleeding or difficulty delivering the placenta.
  • If your doctor thinks you are at risk of any of these complications, they can make plans to prevent or manage these issues during your delivery.
  • In some cases, fibroids can cause problems during or immediately after delivery, such as excessive bleeding or difficulty delivering the placenta.
  • If your doctor thinks you are at risk of any of these complications, they can make plans to prevent or manage these issues during your delivery.
  • In some cases, fibroids can cause problems during or immediately after delivery, such as excessive bleeding or difficulty delivering the placenta.

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