Frequently Asked Questions
I often get questions regarding my experience with Uterine Fibroid Tumors and the subsequent premature birth of my son.
Although fibroids are not the leading cause of infertility
or pregnancy complications, they are still capable of coming in between you and
your ability to have children or have a healthy pregnancy.
In my personal experience both were so interconnected with one another, so I felt it necessary to answer questions about both topics. The following are general questions and answers about fibroid tumors and premature birth.
If for any reason your question has not been answered or you would like more information, please contact me at megan@hismiddlename.com.
In my personal experience both were so interconnected with one another, so I felt it necessary to answer questions about both topics. The following are general questions and answers about fibroid tumors and premature birth.
If for any reason your question has not been answered or you would like more information, please contact me at megan@hismiddlename.com.
FAQs - Fibroid Tumors
What is a Uterine Fibroid tumor? Uterine Fibroid tumors are benign (non-cancerous) growths that appear on the muscular wall of the uterus. They are the most common tumors of the female genital tract. You may hear them called other names such as Leiomyoma, Leiomyomata, or Myoma. They range in size from microscopic to masses that fill the entire abdominal cavity. In some cases, fibroids can be as large as a 5-month pregnancy. Uterine Fibroids can affect women of all ages, but are most common in women ages 25 to 50. In most cases, there is more than one fibroid in the uterus. Fibroids consist of dense, fibrous tissue and are nourished and sustained by a series of large blood vessels and arteries. What types of Uterine Fibroids are there? There are 3 different classifications or types of Uterine Fibroid tumors:
What are the symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
While not cancerous, uterine fibroids can cause problems. Depending on size, location and the number of fibroids, common symptoms include:
Why do I have Uterine Fibroids?
No one knows. There is a possible link between uterine fibroid tumors and estrogen production, but that information is unfounded. Fibroids can grow very large during pregnancy, when estrogen levels are high, and can shrink back down after pregnancy. They usually improve in menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, but this is not always the case. How do I find out if I have Uterine Fibroids? Women usually will undergo an ultrasound in their gynecologist’s office as part of the process to determine if fibroids are present. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is also used to determine if fibroids can be treated and provide information about any underlying disease. MRI is the standard imaging technique for evaluating fibroids because it provides a clearer image than ultrasound and can detect other causes of pelvic pain and/or bleeding you may be experiencing.
What types of Uterine Fibroid treatment are
available?
There are many treatments available if you have fibroids. The following are options for treatment:
How do Uterine Fibroids
affect pregnancy and fertility?
Fibroids can cause the uterus to change shape, which can decrease fertility. Intramural (located in the wall of the uterus) and submucosal (located on the inside of the uterus, bulging inward) fibroids can lead to problems with fertility and sometimes may lead to miscarriage. If you already have Fibroids, it may be difficult to become pregnant or carry to term. It is not advisable to attempt pregnancy until you see your OBGYN and make sure the uterine environment is compatible with carrying a fetus successfully. There are risks to any procedure, but embolization might be the best for young women who want to conceive. If you are already pregnant you must delay treatment. While increased hormones can cause fibroids to grow, no procedure should be performed while you are pregnant. The fibroid will have to be monitored during pregnancy to ensure the safety of your growing fetus, and removal procedures can be discussed after your body has healed from pregnancy. Please discuss all options with your OBGYN or primary care physician. |
FAQs - Premature Births
Why was my baby born prematurely? There are many reasons that a pregnancy might end early. Some of the causes of premature birth include:
Why does my premature baby look different from a full term baby? A full term infant has completed nine months of development and dramatic change, starting as a single fertilized egg. The fetus changes in appearance rapidly during gestation, so newborn premature infants will have an appearance corresponding to the point in pregnancy when delivery occurs. Infants at 23 to 24 weeks gestation (the earliest age compatible with survival) have no body fat, thin skin with a shiny red appearance, a head which is rather large in proportion to the body, and eyes which may not yet be open. As pregnancy progresses, body fat accumulates and the skin becomes thicker, the head appears less large relative to the body, and all features look more mature. Therefore, an infant born at a later gestation will reflect these changes and appear more mature. A baby born prematurely will undergo these developmental changes in the NICU, so that by the time of discharge, the infant will appear similar to one born at term. How can I help my baby when he/she is so small or sick? Parents of a premature or a sick infant may have feelings of helplessness, since their baby's needs are complex and the technology used in the NICU can seem intimidating. Parents naturally want to be the primary care providers, so it can be frustrating when infants in the NICU need the specialized care of the medical and nursing staff. A very sick or premature infant may not be ready to be held, but he/she can be touched and be made aware of parents' presence and warmth. When a baby can be held, a nurse will help parents to do this. Parents can participate directly in aspects of care such as feeding, changing diapers, and bathing. Can I breastfeed if my baby is small or on a ventilator? Breastfeeding is encouraged for all babies, and especially beneficial for those who are premature or sick. You may pump your milk, which can then be stored in a freezer in the NICU. Even if your baby cannot breastfeed directly, breast milk can be used for bottle or tube feedings. Often premature babies need more calories and minerals than are provided by breast milk, so fortification of the milk and/or supplemental formula feedings may be necessary. The NICU nurses and lactation specialists can help mothers with breast pumping and feeding issues. Why does my baby have a birth defect? Most birth defects, or congenital anomalies, occur for unknown reasons. Some are genetic in origin, which means that it is related to the chromosomes or genes; this does not necessarily mean that the problem is inherited from the parents. Other anomalies occur randomly during the very complex process of embryonic and fetal development. Some anomalies are discovered prior to delivery through ultrasound or amniocentesis, whereas others are not known before birth. You may discuss with your obstetrician and your baby's neonatologist how the problem may have occurred. Certain tests may be done to establish the nature and extent of the problem, and determine whether it is genetic. How could my baby be born with an infection? The fetus in utero can develop either viral or bacterial infections. This is possible even if the membranes are intact, but the likelihood of a bacterial infection rises if a prolonged period elapses between rupture of the placenta membranes and delivery. Speak with your obstetrician or your baby's physician if you have questions about how the infection developed. How did my baby develop an infection in the nursery? Newborns, particularly those who are premature, have immune systems that are not fully developed. As such, premature babies are at increased risk for contracting infections. Great care is used in handling infants in the NICU, and sterile technique is used when working with intravenous lines, central lines, endotracheal tubes, and intravenous fluids and medications. However, infants may still develop infections from bacteria or viruses in the environment. Why does my baby need a blood transfusion? Is it dangerous? A baby will need a blood transfusion if the number of red blood cells declines to a level that is too low. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues. If the red blood cell count is too low, then the body may not receive enough oxygen. Most infants have a decline in their red cell count following delivery. In premature infants born prior to 34 weeks gestation, this is more pronounced, because the bone marrow (where blood cells are made) stops making adequate numbers of blood cells until the baby reaches approximately 34 to 36 weeks corrected age. This drop in red cell count in preemies is called "anemia of prematurity." If an infant is sick and requires frequent blood tests, this can cause the blood count to drop faster. Sicker infants need higher blood counts, so they will be more likely to receive blood transfusions. Can I, or someone else, donate blood for my baby? A person donating blood for a specific patient is called a "directed donor." Mothers usually cannot donate blood since they are often anemic following delivery. Fathers, other relatives and friends may donate blood. All donors must have a blood type that matches that of the baby. Since the baby's blood type is generally not known prior to delivery, and since a baby may need a transfusion in the first couple of days, there may not be time to donate blood before the baby requires it. Also, blood that is donated requires a few days to be tested before it can be used for the baby. Are my baby's medications safe? Most medications used carry very little risk. For some drugs, blood levels are checked periodically to ensure that the baby is receiving a safe dose. Infants are given medications only when the possible benefits of the medications outweigh the risks. In other words, an infant is at lower risk receiving a medication, than if that medication were not given. Why does my premature baby need his/her hearing checked? All infants have their hearing checked prior to being discharged home. What are the monitors for? Management of infants in the NICU requires careful following of many details. Electronic monitors allow the NICU staff to see information such as heart rate and heart beat pattern, breathing rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level. Alarms will sound if any of these values are too high or too low. Monitors safeguard the infants by letting the staff know when something may be wrong. Why does my premature baby need his/her eyes checked? Premature babies have periodic eye examinations to evaluate for the presence of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a disorder in retinal blood vessel development. The retina is the light sensitive layer in the back of the interior of the eye. During gestation, the retina matures slowly, and its blood vessels grow from the very back of the eye toward the outer edge of the retina. By term, the retina is mature, and the blood vessels are in their fully developed positions. When a baby is born very prematurely, the retina has not yet finished developing, and it is possible that the blood vessels can develop abnormally. Because ROP can result in visual impairment, all premature infants receive regular eye examinations done by an ophthalmologist. When can my baby go home? In order for a baby to go home from the NICU, he or she should be able to be cared for at home with a minimum of risk. For many babies, this means that they are as well as if they had never had any difficulties. For others, there may be minor issues that can be managed at home. Premature infants are often discharged a little before their due date (as early as 35 weeks corrected age), and are somewhat smaller than if they had been born at term. By the time of discharge, a premature infant should be fully breast or bottle feeding, show steady weight gain, be able to maintain body temperature wrapped in a blanket in a crib (no longer needing an isolette) and, usually, not needing supplemental oxygen. Infants are discharged only when the medical staff is confident that they no longer need the inpatient services of the NICU, and can be cared for safely at home. Following discharge, the ICN staff remains available to parents on a 24-hour basis to answer questions and provide advice as needed. |
