Myomectomy

I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids during a routine annual exam after trying to conceive for 9 months at age 28. I had one large fibroid (10 cm in diameter) and several small ones. My ob decided to send me to a specialist to have the fibroids removed just to play it safe since I was trying to conceive. I was referred to Dr. Rodney Lyles of Reproductive Resource Center in Overland Park KS (we live in Springfield MO). He was wonderful and I would highly recommend him to anyone!! I had to go on some medication for about a month to basically put my body in a menopausal state to minimize bleeding during the surgery. The surgery itself was similar to a c-section, although I will say the recovery was much worse than either of the two c-sections I've had. I would definitely second the advice to get up and moving as quickly as possible. We were told to wait 3 months after surgery to let my body heal before trying to conceive again. After our 3 month wait, we conceived a baby boy after only 2 months of trying. I was told that I could try to labor on my own (no pitocin) to see if I could do a vaginal delivery, but I stopped dilating at 6 cm and ended up having a c-section. I did have a miscarriage about 18 months later, but I had an ultrasound after that to see if my fibroids had come back and they hadn't. We successfully conceived a baby girl after a 6 month break from trying to conceive, and another 13 months of trying to conceive. My ob and I elected to do a scheduled c-section due to two prior incisions on my uterus. I delivered my sweet baby girl via c-section one month ago today! I know it's scary to be diagnosed with fibroids, especially when you're trying to conceive. I was devastated when I was given the diagnosis. I did some research on the internet and it sure did make things look bleak as far as being able to conceive. But after talking to Dr. Lyles, I found out that my chances of conceiving after having fibroids removed was actually really favorable. Best of luck to you. It's alot to go through when you're so ready to have a baby .... but someday it will seem like a distant memory when you hold your baby in your arms and you realize that it was all worth it.

I had fibroids as well, and found out about them in the process of seeing a fertility specialist. We were in the process of getting ready for the surgery when I conceived naturally, so I never had the surgery (fibroids didn't cause any trouble during the pregnancy, and shrunk after the pregnancy). But I did do a lot of research on it. There's a pretty good chance you'll have to have a c-section because of a slighly higher risk of the uterus rupturing, but barring any other problems, you shouldn't have difficulty conceiving (if the fibroid was in fact the problem, and there may not be a definitive way to know that). They fibroids could grow back, and if they grew back during the pregnancy, could cause miscarriage and preterm labor -- I was told that we would wait about 6 mos after the surgery, and then do IUI by my doctor. Good luck!!

M.,
My story is similar to PP. I had a fibroid tumor removed via hysteroscopy/laproscopy in 1998. The doc found stage 4 endometriosis when he got inside. Due to endo, I had trouble conceiving. We did IVF once and conceived b/g twins. I also had trouble with a bleeding placenta previa & preterm labor. My twins were born via csection at 29 weeks. I then had a full hysterectomy 5 months later, due to the endometriosis. None of my difficulties had anything to do with the fibroid being removed, though. So, good hopefully/prayerfully, you'll have no residual effects from the procedure.

M., I had a myomectomy done about 20 years ago...wow how time flies. I never knew I had a problem with infertility, but this was at a time when I was trying desperately hard not to get pregnant. Anyway, mine was the size of a grapefruit. Basically removal was the same as a C-Section. I had absolutely no problems. One thing I suggest, is to get up and moving as soon as they allow it. Laying around only prolongs the discomfort. I did end up having 3 kids afterwards. They were all born C-section, as my doctor was concerned that the surgery to remove the fibroid might make it possible for the uterus to rupture during labor. Since my goal was to have happy, healthy, live children, I took his advice. I have never had a labor pain, all kids were born at least 2 weeks before due date, with perfect, round heads. Part of me misses the whole "natural" childbirth experience, but mostly am glad I have my beautiful babies -- two sons, 17 and 15, and a daughter 12. Best of luck to you!

Hi M., in 2002 I had a myomectomy to remove fibroids both within and outside my uterus. The surgery was done both laparoscopically and hysteroscopically. We eventually did in vitro fertilization but I did get pregnant in August 2003. Overally I had a great pregnancy but did have one episode of bleeding from a placenta previa, and via C-section delivered a healthy baby boy in May 2004. At that point my doc told me my uterus was a "piece of garbage" from so much scar tissue, but we are blessed with our son. Best, best, best of luck to you!!

A number ofyears ago I had fibroid tumors-yes many of them and it was very uncomfortable. this was before I had children. My doctor performed a D&C and told me not to get pregnant for about 6 weeks to let my body heal-which I did and had no other problems after that was done. Two children later with no difficulty and no other problems including a normal vaginal dilvery, till much later and I had a hysterectomy when I reached early 50s-but that was not connected to the fibroids. However I have a tendency to grow polyps-they tell tell me it is not a part of this but it is something worth watching. The best part was no more cramps and other troubles.

I had a myomectomy for several fibriods and one the size of a grapefruit. Due to where it was positioned and its size, the doctors insisted on a c-section for any deliveries. We experienced 2 MCs prior and one after so they were not our only issue. However, a year later we had identical twin girls delivered by planned c-section.