©Pregnancy bliss 2008
Fibroids and delivery
Fibroids can also impact timing and mode of delivery. There is evidence, albeit weak, that some fibroids could trigger early onset of labor and preterm delivery. This is not a common.
Some submucosal and intramural fibroids do distort the cavity causing the baby to assume an abnormal position. This, in effect, means a cesarean delivery becomes inevitable.
Fibroids can also increase the risk of heavy blood loss after delivery, be it vaginal or by cesarean section. This is not common.
In some cases fibroids do interfere with the mechanism of contractions during labor. This can be to an extent that intervention in the form of cesarean section becomes necessary.
Effect of Pregnancy on Fibroids
Sometimes fibroids increase significantly in size during pregnancy. This is thought to be the effect of the estrogen hormone, the levels of which are quite high during pregnancy.
Fibroids can also undergo degeneration during pregnancy. Red degeneration is characterized by quite severe pain which is because the fibroid suddenly loses its blood supply and in effect dies. This could trigger onset of labor, even prematurely. It is rare.
Fibroid surgery during pregnancy
It is difficult to see any indication of fibroid surgery during pregnancy. In fact this is probably always an out and out bad idea as it is likely to be fraught with risk of heavy bleeding and could even trigger a miscarriage.
To sum up...
There are many ways in which fibroids can influence fertility, pregnancy and delivery. However, in the overwhelming majority of cases, presence of fibroids is of no consequence and they are innocent bystanders.