A small number of pregnant women have uterine fibroids. If you are pregnant and have fibroids, they likely won't cause problems for you or your baby. During pregnancy, fibroids may increase in size. Most of this growth occurs from blood flowing to the uterus. Coupled with the extra demands placed on the body by pregnancy, growth of fibroids may cause discomfort, feelings of pressure, or pain. Fibroids decrease in size after pregnancy in most cases.

Fibroids can increase the risk of:

• Miscarriage (in which the pregnancy ends be-fore 20 weeks)
• Preterm birth
• Breech birth (in which the baby is in a position other than head down)

Rarely, a large fibroid can block the opening of the uterus or keep the baby from passing into the birth canal. In this case, a cesarean delivery is done. In most cases, even a large fibroid will move out of the fetus's way as the uterus expands during pregnancy. Women with large fibroids may have more blood loss after delivery. Often no treatment of fibroids is needed during pregnancy. If you are having symptoms such as pain or discomfort, your doctor may prescribe rest. Sometimes a pregnant woman with fibroids will need to stay in the hospital for a time because of pain, bleeding, or threatened preterm labor. Very rarely, myomectomy may be performed in a pregnant woman. Cesarean birth may be needed after myomectomy.

Finally...

Uterine fibroids are benign growths that occur quite often in women. About one in four or five women over age 35 has them. Fibroids may cause no symptoms and require no treatment. If you have uterine fibroids or have had them in the past, you should be checked by your doctor on a regular basis. Getting regular checkups and being alert to warning signs will help you be aware of changes that may require treatment.