Q&A: Will a fibroid tumor mean I need to have a c-section?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I am 36 and pregnant for the first time (5-6 weeks). I had the first ultrasound and saw the baby and heartbeat but, also saw what the doctor said was probably a uterine fibroid at the bottom of my uterus. Right now it looks slightly bigger than the baby. I have no symptoms (no spotting). I know fibroids are common in my age group but how will the doctor tell for sure that it is a fibroid and not something else like a cancer. Assuming it is a fibroid, will the size or location at the bottom of my uterus affect my carrying to term or ability to have a vaginal birth?

As they say in real estate, location is everything. Most fibroids, although they look big compared to first trimester babies, end up lost in the shuffle and can even seem to disappear on later ultrasounds. If it's bulging into the cervix, it could pose a problem with a vaginal delivery. If it's in the lower uterine area and bulging toward the baby, it could affect how the baby ends up positioned, raising the risk of a breech baby. Typically, fibroids behave themselves, but you can look forward to many ultrasounds to watch it.

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