Septate Uterus...advice, experience, words of encouragement!

hthorn125 · January 2012

Hi All -

I just got home from my 1st appt with the doctor to confirm pregnancy and go through all the history and prenatal care.

Because my periods are irregular they opted to do an ultrasound to see where I am with my pregnancy and they predict Im 4-5 weeks...which is very early on.

However, during the ultrasound they discovered I have a septate uterus.
After going into detail as to what it is and such - I am now scared that I will miscarry because the odds for up to nearly 50%.

I know everyone is different but I would like anyone that has any experience or knows someone with a septate uterus to give me any and all advice or tell me your story (successful or not).

They believe I have a COMPLETE Septate which means my uterus is almost divided into 2 chambers rather than just 1. Another term for septate is HEART SHAPED uterus.

I go back in 1 week so see if the embryo is still developing...The doctor did make the comment that my "nest" is looking PERFECT...whatever that means!

Thanks so much! Hoping all goes well!

Ladiebug710 · January 2012

FX that all will be well. As long as baby isn't implanted on the septum then you should be ok. Unfortunatelly you have no control over where it is at this point. The septum just doesn't have the same rich blood supply as the uterus. Hang in there, I know waiting will be tough.

af2004rn · January 2012

Congrats on your pregnancy. I would not take one doctor's opinion based on a single ultrasound while pregnant as a definitive diagnosis. The definitive way to diagnosis a true septum is with a lap/hysterscopy while non pregnant.

A septate uterus is different from a bicornuate (heart shaped uterus). A septate is frequently misdiagnosed and rarely accurately diagnosed while pregnant. A true septate uterus has a ungodly risk of miscarriage. Not to freak you out, but you really need a doctor who doesn't throw out that term lightly. I have a true bicornuate uterus. It was diagnosed with a MRI and and several different high resolution ultrasounds. I delivered a healthy 8 pound baby girl at 39 weeks. So remain calm and optimistic.

This Yahoo group is awesome. https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MullerianAnomalies/

hthorn125 · January 2012

Thank you for your advice.
When looking at the ultrasound it was very clear (to me) when it was explained that I do indeed have a septate uterus. There was a clear blackish line that went all the way down and you could clearly see 2 different chambers.
Being earlier on worries me to which leaves more time to worry, wonder, and miscarry.

I will remain optimistic and hopefully all goes well. It seems that next weeks appt will be more of an inclination of how things are progressing.
I have also been googling and there isnt a lot of positive feedback which I may refrain from since it just puts thoughts in my head.

It also seems that where it has attached whether on the uterus or septate will determine if I can at least get out of the 1st trimester waters...

So we will see! I will be checking out your YAHOO board as well...

Thanks again!

af2004rn · January 2012

hthorn125:

When looking at the ultrasound it was very clear (to me) when it was explained that I do indeed have a septate uterus. There was a clear blackish line that went all the way down and you could clearly see 2 different chambers.

On ultrasound a septate and a bicornuate are going to look pretty much the same. It's just not a good way to diagnose it. Statistically, the odds are that you have a bicornuate (which is a good thing). You can have a complete bicornuate where the septum goes all the way down or a partial. I have a 75% septum down my bicornuate.

This article explains how poorly ultrasound can distinguish between the two. It is only good at looking at the outer angles of the horns rather than the septum. The other reason u/s isn't so good at diagnosing is that pregnancy changes the shape of the uterus.

This link shows some pictures that might clarify things.

I wish you the best. I know I was super freaked out when I was misdiagnosed the first time with a unicornate uterus. Once I found a great RE who was well versed in the Mullerian anomolies, I felt better. He was the one that properly diagnosed my condition. I ended up having a renal u/s because their is a risk that you might have only one kidney. My previous OB who delivered my DD has worked for 40 years had only ever treated one other woman with a BU. My current OB has had no experience. I point that out because it is rare which is part of the reason you may be misdiagnosed.

Congrats, again! Big Smile

SusieMom2be · January 2012

I agre with af2004rn she is 100% right! I also have a bicornuate uterus. These abnormalities cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound. I would see an RE and get another opinion!

leilanilouise · January 2012

I "had" a septum in my uterus as well. It was diagosed during my c-section with my son (he was breech and couldn't turn because of the septum). I believe viability will depend on where baby implanted. I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in November and my RE removed my septum. I got pregnant like 3 weeks later

. I was originally told I had a bicornuate uterus after my c-section, but now I don't know if that is what it was or not as the outside of my uterus was normal, just not the inside. I would try to worry as little as possibly (not easy I know). I hope everything turns out swimmingly!!

jasrun80 · January 2012

I'm positive that there are plenty of women throughout history who have had this & children, never knowing it was septate! I wish you the best in whatever happens & hope this idea brings some peace,,, I used to do hysterosalpingograms in radiology & never heard much concern from women with this discovery,,, I think the fact that you conceived is wonderful & imagine you will be just fine ,,, I hope so !

hthorn125 · January 2012

Thanks again for all your words of encouragement!

pixieprincss · January 2012

I had a slightly arcuate uterus when I got PG with DS (I had loss before that, but not related to that, as far as we know). The pregnancy actually righted my uterus and it seems to be normally shaped now. It sounds like my case was less pronounced than what you are facing, but it is a story of hope! I second getting another opinion with a specialist.

ufsandra85 · January 2012

i had a complete septum and had it removed. https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MullerianAnomalies/messages this is a great group. I would also RUN to an experienced RE because a septate uterus is not called a heart shaped uterus. You need weekly monitoring with an RE and then should go to a high risk doctor

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