Pregnancy with a unicorn uterus: What you need to know

Women with a single-horned uterine malformation can still get a normal pregnancy if the uterus is developing well, but the risk of pregnancy complications is very high.

The unicorn uterus is a rare congenital uterine abnormality ( abnormal uterus ), about 2 to 8% of women are diagnosed with infertility due to this cause. Although there have been successful pregnancies, the condition still carries certain risks. If you are unfortunate and need to find more information, please find out through the sharing below of aFamilyToday Health.

What is the unicorn uterus?

A unicorn uterus is a condition in which the uterus does not develop completely, having only one fallopian tube instead of two (the other does not develop). In addition, the size of the uterus is also smaller than normal and may not bind to other parts of the uterus. This makes the ability to stimulate the ovaries much less.

This is a very rare birth defect with a rate of 1 / 1,000. This abnormal condition develops early in life, when the tissue that makes up the uterus grows improperly.

How to detect unicorn uterus?

The unicorn uterus is often difficult to detect because the symptoms can often be confused. About 65% of women having this condition are found to be infertility or infertility. This leads to a delay in treatment. However, this condition still has some symptoms such as:

Chronic pelvic pain or menstrual abdominal pain : The reason is due to the menstrual fluid accumulating in the body, unable to escape, leading to pain.

Uterine hemorrhage: This is the accumulation of blood in the uterus, unable to escape. Common symptoms are lower abdominal pain and mid-pelvic line during menstruation, frequent urination or urinary retention .

Endometriosis: This is a condition in which endometriosis (or the lining of the uterus, the model that makes up the lining of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus. The most common symptom is chronic pelvic pain , especially right before and during menstruation .

Not pregnant: You are not pregnant even though you have been married for many years and have not used birth control during sex.

Preterm birth and miscarriage.

How is one-horned uterus diagnosed?

This condition is less known until the woman experiences pregnancy complications such as infertility, repeated miscarriages or preterm birth. There are a number of tests that can help detect the condition and help with prompt treatment:

Pelvic exam

Imaging tests: MRI scan, three-dimensional ultrasound

Endoscopic

Endoscopy of the uterus

How does the unicorn uterus affect pregnancy?

Women can still conceive and give birth normally if the uterus "one horn" develops healthy. However, the risk of pregnancy complications is very high.

Miscarriage: Abnormal uterine shape causes insufficient blood flow to the uterus and placenta.

Preterm birth : Because the uterus is smaller than normal, the fetus doesn't have enough space to grow. In addition, you are also susceptible to abnormal fetal status (inverted). At this time, pregnant mothers will have a cesarean section instead of normal delivery.

Ectopic Pregnancy: A condition in which an egg is fertilized outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. At this point, the doctor will intervene to end the pregnancy because the pregnancy cannot exist and develop outside the uterus.

Heavy bleeding: This can be life threatening and increase the risk of early rupture of membranes in the first or second trimester.

Growth retardation: The weight and size of the fetus may be lower than normal.

Placenta : A condition in which the placenta is aimed at the lowest position of the uterus, leading to the placenta, partially or completely covering the cervix. This is the main cause of bleeding during pregnancy .

Premature placenta: The placenta is sloughing off the uterine wall before birth (usually after 20 weeks ). Partially or completely, your baby will be at risk due to insufficient oxygen and nutrients.

Intrauterine pregnancy failure: This can lead to stillbirth .

Can the unicorn uterus affect conception?

Not only causing obstetric complications , but one-horned uterus also reduces the fertility of women by nearly 50%. If the unicorn uterus is not well developed, it is difficult for a woman to conceive.

And even if you are pregnant, you will be more likely to have risks during pregnancy . Here are the possible dangers of pregnancy with a monocort that you should be aware of:

Preterm birth

Ectopic pregnancy

Suspension of pregnancy in the first and second trimesters

Abortion in the uterus ...

Broken uterus

There are many ways to treat infertility, but it is often difficult to treat unicorned uterus because it is a congenital condition. However, there are also methods that you can try.

How to treat the unicorn uterus?

Treatment of the unicorn uterus is difficult and rarely successful because the size of the uterus cannot be surgically enlarged. Here are some of the more commonly recommended ways:

Cervical cerclage: This treatment is often recommended for those with a history of miscarriage, preterm birth, and an inadequate cervix. During this procedure, the cervix is ​​stitched closed during pregnancy.

Laparoscopic surgery: This treatment is performed to remove the isolated uterine element, causing abdominal pain due to accumulation of menstrual blood.

Special care: If the unicorn uterus develops well, you can still conceive and conceive a normal pregnancy. However, the risks are very high, pregnant mothers have a high risk of rupture of the uterus at the end of the second trimester due to insufficient space. When pregnant, you need to be very cautious, go to prenatal check-up on schedule, follow the instructions of the doctor ... to avoid risks for mother and baby.