Fibroids and Pregnancy

Q: Hi Susun,

I came across your site while doing a search for holistic medicine for fibroids during pregnancy. Would you have any recommendations?

Thanks,
D.

 

A: Hello D., thank you for writing. Have you had a chance to read this article on fibroids from Susun? A uterine fibroid can increase in size while we are pregnant though decrease again post birth. I had a fibroid through my pregnancy. In my case it was in a location that caused a great deal of discomfort for about 4-5 days in my fourth month. This was because as my uterus grew and the fibroid with it, the fibroid was also moving with my uterus and for those few days pressed on tender spots. I did lots of research and did not find any cause for concern through the pregnancy in my case. It depends more on how many fibroids, the size, the position, and especially the kind. In my case it was just in the lining and only later showed effect as my son had gotten into position in the last two weeks but as he dropped had to adjust a little. So he came out a little turned. As you may know this is not as comfortable for a birth but I was able to birth on my own with no drugs :)

We also have a wonderful resource available 24 hours a day. This is our online forum where people from around the world come to share life experiences and questions. By searching past posts, or starting a new one of your own, you may find a variety of answers to your questions. If you post there you can let me know where and I will offer more thoughts as I have them. Or you are also welcome to write me back here. The important questions to elaborate on would be any more info on the fibroid/s you have - type, size length of time you have had them. Since certain types of fibroids can cause extra bleeding, I would think it would be important to know in order to decide if any treatment is necessary and how aggressive it needs to be.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Comments

[Nancy]

Hi there,

I have the book Childbearing Year and my husband and I recently decided to try for our second. I went to the herbalist and got 2 parts nettle, 2 parts red clover and 1 part don quai tincture. I started taking the tincture when I was menstruating and I ended up getting my period for 2 weeks (not heavy). I usually get it for a week. Anyways, I am not on day 37 and no period. I am not pregnant and am a little worried that I have not started menstruating. I usually menstruate about every 26-28 days and I have never missed (except when I was pregnant with my first).

Anyways, any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

[KarenJoy]

Hello Nancy, have you spoken with the herbalist? I see now you wrote this two weeks ago, how are you now? Have we spoken through email - this note sounds familiar? This is largley why I love working with herbs as simples, and why I like to explore herbs in their various forms for how they affect us. I favor first the nourishing herbs, sometimes that is all that is needed. Nettles and Red Clover blossoms are this, for me though in infusion form. The menstruum DOES make a difference and a tincture is not just a convenient alternative. I have not worked much with dong quai. If it were me I would switch to these two infusions only for awhile. If still concerned then stop any or just do one. Do you have b=fibroids?

love and blessings,
Karen Joy

[Bili Jo]

Dear Karen,

One of the sisters in my circle prescribed The Childbearing Year to me when she learned I wished to become pregnant. I bought it right away and read it, though amazingly I tested positive for pregnancy before I even opened my box of Red Clover tea! We have been trying for three years, so we are very excited, but now I have been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. I understand it's very common, and there is a debate whether it should be treated or not. I do know the side effects of the antibiotics prescribed are horrible, and there is also debate about whether it would harm the fetus. Everyone I speak to acts as if a miscarriage is to be expected, but I'm not giving up. There is nothing to say my child can't live, and I'm not writing him or her off as a lost cause. I'm approaching my second trimester... is there some kind of herb that I could take that would help? The book speaks of UTI's, but not BV. I'm already drinking Red Raspberry tea.

[KarenJoy]

Hello, Susun Weed, the author of the Childbearing Year is writing a book write now titled Down There, where this will be covered. She writes a bit about it here: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/April08/grandmother.htm

The two top remedies for you are yogurt - eat it and put it on topically morning and night if needed - and vaginal clenches.

There seems to be a gathering of women with this title, self made or not, who share some fear of it, as if it wll take hold of your life and cause serious trouble for ever. If you have come to that, please know that many deal with this and then it is gone, as simply as any other yeast or bacterial overgrowth.

In the article Susun mentions sitz baths of some herbs. I personally do not have fear of those while pregnant, but would trust your own gut on it. If unsure you could simply use a water preparation of one of those herbs as a rinse each day.

Be consistent and diligent and give it time for things to right themselves. Meanwhile do not use soaps on the tender tissue, and let the area get fresh air.

Karen Joy