I've been trying to let go of this curiosity since I left the clinic on Friday, but I finally just told myself that it's better to be informed than to ignore something, simply for the sake of relieving some worry. Even though my midwife told me that fibroids are "typically" benign, and everything I've read about them say the same thing, it's still haunts me...in fact, in haunts me even more, now that I know more about them.
According to womenshealth.gov, they can range in size (acorn, to...volleyball??) and severity of symptoms, there is no real "cause" for them, other than genetics and hormones, and they can cause difficulties in pregnancy and delivery. Good to note, however, that having one doesn't necessarily make you more inclined to get more, nor does it make you more susceptible to cancer. My question, of course, is: how do we know if a fibroid is cancerous? Even if it is something like 1 in 1000...there's still a chance. It seems as if, when something is as uncommon as 1 in 1000, doctors (and midwives) seem to be so passe about it, as if it's never a problem. They just drop this ball in your lap - "..oh, and it looks like you have a fibroid..." - and expect you to trust "it's not atypical" as being some sort of conclusion or end-all statement to the issue.Well, all I can do now is be the healthiest, most informed mama I can be, and play an active role in following every detail of my pregnancy. This is, I guess, where they say you should be part of the team, and not just watch from the sidelines, when it comes to your health. There's never been a more crucial time for that than now. I'm going to ask a lot of questions at my exam appointment on Friday, and if I don't feel like I'm getting complete, reassuring answers, I will keep pressing. My concern at this point is pre-term labor and breech birth, and what, if anything, I can do to make sure those things are less likely to happen. Not to mention, C-section is 6 times more likely, which is disappointing to me...
Oi.
Beth my dear, I love you so much. I am glad that you are not standing on the sidelines of this experience which I don't think you ever would. And it is very good to be informed that's for sure. But try not to worry too much. It's not good for you mentally or physically to worry on such things. Do what you can to help and be informed but then let it be. I believe what will be will be. God is in control of it all. He loves you and your child dearly, intimately involved in every step of the way. I love that you are blogging on your experience. You will get to see how much you will grow and change. It is beautiful. So proud of you :)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing better today. I've been reading up more on the subject, and feel much calmer about it. Evidently, if fibroids are cancerous, they usually don't show up as such until later in life. My only real concern, and I'm sure will also be the midwives', is the size and location of it. As long as it doesn't change in size (specifically, get bigger), and doesn't block the birth canal, we're golden. If a C section is necessary, than that's what we have to do.
ReplyDeleteIt's all good:) No unnecessary worrying here!
Oh, and thank you, Jax for your kind words! You are the love and light of your higher power:)
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