What happens if a tumor grows in a pregnant woman’s uterus?

KOMPAS.com – Most women strictly take care of their health during pregnancy. However, what if a tumor is found in a pregnant woman’s uterus?

Benign tumors that grow in a woman’s uterus are also known as uterine fibroids or myomas.

Fibroids can be as small as a raisin or as large as a grapefruit.Like other cancers, fibroids are non-cancerous growths.

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Uterine fibroids or myomas are tumors that grow from the muscle cells of a woman’s uterus. This condition can occur when a woman is pregnant.

These tumors or fibroids can appear during a woman’s fertile period until premenopause. A woman is more at risk of developing this condition due to genetic factors, obesity, or early puberty.

Benign tumors or fibroids can grow in the uterus of pregnant women

Launch Children’s CenterIn fact, benign tumors or fibroids can grow in a pregnant woman’s uterus. This can be detected during a medical ultrasound examination (USG).

Most women are asymptomatic and are unaware that a benign tumor is growing in their uterus before undergoing an ultrasound. Meanwhile, some women, especially those who are pregnant, may experience the following symptoms:

1. Severe back pain
2. Feelings of tightness, pain or pressure in the lower abdomen
3. Painful cramps, similar to menstrual cramps
4. Urinating more often
5. Pain during sex
6. Constipation or painful bowel movements, especially if the fibroids put a lot of pressure on the intestinal area

Medium to large uterine tumors or fibroids put pressure on the bladder or intestines of pregnant women. In this case, the tumor generally complicates the development of the fetal head.

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To collect Mayo ClinicTumors that grow or develop in the uterus of pregnant women can cause pregnancy disorders under the following fatal conditions:

1. Bleeding and pain: About 30% of women who have cancer in the uterus experience pain and bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy.
2. Miscarriage: This condition can occur in the first trimester of pregnancy.
3. Fetal Position Disorder: The presence of a tumor causes the baby to be in the breech position or the baby’s head to be in the uterus above and on the buttocks or feet.
4. Detachment of the placenta: Occurs when fibroids block the placenta and cause part or all of the placenta to separate from the uterus. This causes the baby to not get enough oxygen or nutrients. More placental abruptions occur in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
5. Preterm Labor: Preterm labor is born before the 37th week of gestation. Women with fibroids are at risk for preterm labor, especially if the tumor is large and located near the placenta.
6. Premature rupture of membranes: This is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the amniotic sac or the membranes around the baby rupture early (before 37 weeks).

Read also: Know what a tumor is, its types, how to prevent it

Overcoming fibroids during pregnancy

In general, doctors do not recommend the treatment of uterine fibroids or benign tumors during pregnancy. If certain symptoms occur, your doctor may recommend mild pain relief, rest, and hydration.

New treatments may be performed after childbirth, namely myomectomy or hysterectomy, which is performed depending on the size, growth, number and severity of the fibroids.

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