Bicornuate uterus and detached placental tail

LuluRM · February 2015

Good evening ladies! I wanted to introduce myself because I go here now... I'm lulurm, I am a reg on Aug15 (on the dark side), but was a TTGP'er & A15'er over here. I am posting this on both forums to hopefully reach more women with similar experiences.

I am 14wks, 2days pregnant with my 2nd LO, and for the past 2 weeks I have had bleeding that's ranged from bright red gushing to brown spotting. In this time I've had 4 doctors appointment and two level2 ultrasounds, and I finally got some answers today...

I saw a perinatologist and High Risk OB, and they did confirm that the baby is doing well (thank goodness!). However, my uterus is not faring as well. It turns out I have a bicornuate uterus (which obviously increases my risk of miscarriage and preterm labor). My son was born at 36+6 weeks (after a completely boring and uneventful pregnancy) and luckily he had no serious complications. The OB said I am fortunate that he made it that far since I was a high risk pregnancy, but received no additional monitoring. I always wondered why he was early (and had severe torticollis), it's a little comforting to have an explanation. They will address the bicornuate uterus after birth (you can't really diagnose it while pregnant, I guess), and check my kidneys and uterine septum.

I also have a mildly detached placenta. Part of the lower placenta (the tail) is detached from the uterine wall and is laying over the cervix (they're not calling it placenta previa yet, because it's not attached over the cervix, it's just kind of dangling there). This detached tail is where the active bleeding is coming from. There is still plenty of healthy placenta right now, and the baby has nice blood flow, but the fear is that the placenta could detach further, causing IUGR or stillbirth.

The pregnancy is now high-risk, and I will be getting weekly ultrasounds at MFM, and weekly 17P injections. I am obviously on bed rest until further notice. My OB and the perinatologist both say that my uterus will not make it to term, but they're hoping to get me into the 30-week range (or beyond!). My fingers, toes, and everything else, are crossed! It's nice to meet you all, I look forward to getting to know you.

stacey609 · February 2015

I have a bicornuate uterus as well and am having other complications related to the condition too. can I ask what a 17p injection is and its purpose? for my last pregnancy at three weeks early I had an emergency section because various uterus related problems as well as problems related to my care.... and the placenta had started to detach. it is scary. hope you are not on bed rest for the whole time!! take care of you!

DagnyBC · February 2015

I'm a lurker and participate on my Sept'15 BMB on the dark side. I was just diagnosed with a septate uterus (a partial wall of tissue dividing my uterus) a few days ago at 10 weeks. I agree it has been hard to find other women dealing with significant uterine abnormalities.

So far the baby is doing well, but I know early bed rest may be on the horizon for me as well. I'm so glad your doctors think they can get you to 30 weeks. I hope everything goes well for you.

LuluRM · February 2015

stacey609 said:
I have a bicornuate uterus as well and am having other complications related to the condition too. can I ask what a 17p injection is and its purpose? for my last pregnancy at three weeks early I had an emergency section because various uterus related problems as well as problems related to my care.... and the placenta had started to detach. it is scary. hope you are not on bed rest for the whole time!! take care of you!

17P is an injectable compound (comprised of primarily progesterone) offered to women with high risk pregnancies or previous preterm births. It was suggested by my high risk OB because my first son was born at 36+6 weeks. Once they discovered my bicornuate uterus they changed the suggestion to a strong incouragement (BU causes preterm labor, IUGR, breech, etc). The 17P relaxes the uterus and helps keep the baby cooking as long as possible. I actually just received word that my insurance will cover the injections fully (they're $800 per shot, one shot per week. But there is financial assistance available if your insurance doesn't approve the request). It's definitely something to look into for your next pregnancy. Thank you for sharing your story!

agreg16 · February 2015

Good luck to you all! I have a unicornuate uterus, diagnosed from an HSG while not being successful ttc. I just found out I'm pregnant with #1, first pregnancy and only 4 weeks and 3 days. I'm terrified but I want to enjoy the pregnancy. Let's all pray, cross toes for eachother!

LolaX2 · February 2015

I am a fellow BU (fully BU almost dydelphic) and have had 2 successful HR pregnancies. We found out about my BU when we were going through all kinds of testing for IF so I was treated as HR from day one of my first pregnancy. I made it to 36 weeks and 2 days before I PROM'd and then ended up with an emergency section after 36 hours of hard labor. DS was healthy just small, bruised and a bit jaundiced.

With my second DD I encountered more issues. I was pregnant in the opposite side as the first one, which is the smaller side. I had significant bleeding and spotting weeks 8-12 and was terrified that I would miscarry. They never did give me a reason for the bleeding, but it eventually stopped and DD continued to grow. I was also strongly encouraged to start the P17 shots from 16 weeks on. I was able to get them sent home and DH gave me the weekly shots. Things were pretty good until around 32 weeks when I started having braxton hicks and "irritable uterus". I have a desk job so I was not pulled from work but I was told no exercise or strenuous activity along with pelvic rest and drink lots of water. I made it to my scheduled section date at just 36 weeks. (I ended up with a vertical incision with my first and they were concerned about my uterus rupturing if I really went into labor so they planed it early).

DD was tiny but very healthy. She did have tortacolis from being squished to one side and not enough room. It was not severe enough that she had to wear a helmet but we have been doing at home PT and it is pretty much normal now. She also had to be evaluated for hip displaysia with is common more so in girls that did not have enough room to grow in the uterus. Again we were lucky that she only had a very mild case and we were able to correct it with some PT right at home.

I was strongly encouraged not to try for a third pregnancy. This was ue to the BU complications as well as complications that I had with the section and recovering.

Best of luck to you!

StefH1973 · February 2015

Hi fellow high-risk bumpies. I am StefH1973, but you can call me Stef. I also just found out that I may have a bicornuate or septate (heart shaped) uterus...I will get another sonogram at the hospital on Friday to confirm this. This would certainly explain my last two early miscarriages. Confirmation of this would be both a blessing (finally having an answer to my unexplained infertility over the past 4 years) and a curse (worrying what this will mean for my current pregnancy). I am 7 weeks now, and this time I have confirmed implantation and a tiny heartbeat. I have never made it past 6 weeks before, and I have never achieved implantation...so fingers crossed. I wish you all the best with your PG!

LolaX2 · February 2015

Oh I forgot to mention - the is an awesome yahoo group with a lot of helpful information and support.

Mullerian Anomalies - Yahoo Groups

StefH1973 · February 2015

Thank you for the great info!

raycheloxley · February 2015

I will be 13 weeks on 2/25 and I have a BU also. I was told about early bed rest also but that we would talk about this at my 20 week appointment since that's when the baby will eventually start running out of room. But this is also my first pregnancy and they doctor thought I wouldn't even make it out of the first trimester. So i feel very blessed to have made it this far. it's nice to know women are going through the same fears as I am and that I'm not alone. I wish all you ladies the best of luck.

laurenphillips4116 · February 2015

I got diagnosed with a BU on the 18th feb also theyve told me ive had a missed misscarrige ive come snooping on here for awnsers anyone got any advice on geting preg again as it took 2 years of unexplained infertility this time. Xx

LolaX2 · February 2015

It really helps to see a doctor that really knows a lot about and understands Mullerian Anomolies. A BU is in no way an indicator that you are doomed to miscarriage. Many doctors don't know enough about them to really give good advice. One of the first doctors I went to was terrible and pretty much told that me that unless I had major surgery to cut my uterus apart and have it reconfigured into one semi normal uterus that I would never be able to carry a child. This same doctor told me that this surgery could also make me completely sterile! Then I went on to find a doctor that worked specifically with woman having mullerian anomolies and really knew what he was doing.

Also many times doctor that don't know enough will mistakenly diagnose a septet uterus as a BU as on a ultrasound or MRI they look very similar but are 2 very different issues. further testing is really needed to confirm which it is such as with an HSG. Septet uterus causes more early miscarriages while BU doesn't really put you at a higher risk of early miscarriages. BU has a higher rate of pre-term labor and delivery as well as being breach as baby runs out of room.

I can't stress enough that finding the right and informed doctor is key. Don't just blindly listen to what any doctor says, get second opinions and do your research.The Yahoo group that I posted before is a wonderful resource and there are usually some actual doctors that are available or listed as a resources! The group was a great help to me in my IF journey as well as my 2 successful pregnancies.

Sorry for writing a book here but I remember what it was like when I was first diagnosed and trying to find more information. It is such a rare condition that it is hard to find correct and helpful info. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you ladies.

StefH1973 · February 2015

Ok, so it's confirmed...I have a septate uterus...not heart shaped, but completely divided in two by a wall of tissue (septum). Apparently, if baby attaches itself to the septum instead of the uterine wall, she won't get the nutrients she needs to survive. So far, she is only attached to the uterine wall, but I have to be monitored every two weeks to make sure baby's heartbeat is still there. So far, all ok...heartbeat at 150bpm...doc says every week that baby is ok, the risk for miscarriage goes down significantly. I am at 8w, 1d and praying that we make it to 12 weeks. Then baby has a good chance for survival. I wish I could speed up time...this is the longest wait ever!

LolaX2 · February 2015

StefH1973 Best of luck and T&P's to you for a healthy sticky baby! Try to take it one day at a time and and try not to obsess over it....I know not really something you can control, but try to do some things that relax and distract you to get through the next few weeks. I have been in your position and I actually had some pretty significant bleeding from weeks 8-10 and though for sure I was having a miscarriage but my strong little peanut held on and I now have a health perfect 10 month old baby girl.

LuluRM · February 2015

Thank you so much for sharing your stories!! I am currently 17wks, 5days, and LO is hanging on strong! We're still getting ultrasounds every 2 weeks and the 17P shots, and I am still out of work (but I just heard from short term disability, and they will be paying benefits for the duration of my pregnancy, so that's a relief!). We found out at our 18wk scan that we are having a daughter!! I am still very worried, but things seem to be going well so far. I hope everyone else's little ones are doing great!! My fingers are crossed for all of us! Thank you again for your openness and for sharing resources.

HeronGirlJess · March 2015

I also have a bicornuate uterus, which I knew about for several years prior to getting pregnant. First pregnancy, here, so nervous, but my first ultrasound at 10 weeks showed the baby in a good position, and my doctor, who is aware of my uterine abnormality, isn't concerned by anything thus far. Tomorrow is genetic counseling and blood tests, as well as another ultrasound (12 weeks), so hopefully will find that all is still good.

I have known since my uterine anomaly was diagnosed several years ago that preterm labor, miscarriage, bed rest and breech were all possibilities, but I'm happy to have made it at least thus far.

jhonrud · March 2015

I also have a BU. I was TTC for about a year, when I found out the anomaly. I also had large uterine fibroids that get in the way of conception. We conceived naturally, but I lost my DS at 20 weeks in Dec 2014. I had a D&C to remove the tissue that didn't come out during birth, and we think the fibroids were removed during the D&C. The reason for the late miscarriage was never determined.

Two cycles later, we started trying and got my BFP! I'm so nervous about this pregnancy. More than one doctor has reviewed my files, and they all say I have a very mild Bicornuate and there shouldn't be any problems. As far as we know there is no septum which is common cause for later-term miscarriages.

The likely hood of another miscarriage is very low, but the end of the first trimester is no longer a sigh of relief. I'm just plugging along one day at a time. That's all we can do, keep carrying on.

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Bicornuate uterus and detached placental tail

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