Unicornuate Uterus

Hi,

This is Lindsay and I work at the March of Dimes.

This is a rare condition and there really isn't too much in the literature, which is why you're having trouble finding information. A unicornate uterus can cause certain pregnancy complications, like breech birth, that can necessitate cesarean delivery. Premature labor and delivery are more common but, happily, it looks like you will be avoiding that. There also is an increased incidence of infants that are born small for the pregnancy duration. You're right, it is cramped in there.

Your doctor will be monitoring you closely over the next few weeks. If you notice any changes in how you feel (change in discharge, leaking of fluid, cramping..) or have concerns about the baby's activity level, call your doctor right away. I'm sure this is a stressful time, but you have done very well and you're almost there!

Hang in there!

Lindsay
Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center

HOW DID THE C-SECTION GO. I ALSO HAVE A UNICORNUATE UTEROUS, AND DID HAVE A C-SECTION. MY SON IS NOW 10 MONTHS OLD

Hi, I had a daughter in 2007 born at 33 1/2 weeks, because I have a unicornuate uterus. She was also breech. I am also having a very hard time finding out information about this. I was told that since my daughter was born premature that my next pregancy will probably be early and that my child will very likely be breech. If anyone else has more information on this subject please let us know or where to find this information.

I hope the rest of your pregnancy was well and would love to hear how it went.

Hi,

This is Lindsay and I work at the March of Dimes.

It's not surprising that you cannot find information about unicornuate uterus because there is very little written about it. What I have been able to find indicates that women with a unicornuate uterus have an increased incidence of infertility, endometriosis, and dysmenorrhea (difficult and painful menstruation).

Pregnancies that implant in the normal-sized hemiuterus have an increased incidence of preterm delivery (10-37%, according to Clinical Maternal-Fetal Medicine, printed in 2000), fetal growth restriction, breech presentation (not enough room to turn) and cesarean delivery. Pregnancies that occur in a small, rudimentary horn are dangerous and end badly. The good news is that with high resolution ultrasound and MRI, these problem pregnancies can often be located and addressed with surgical therapy before they threaten the woman's health. (Taken from William's Obstetrics, 22nd edition.)

Be sure to talk with your health care provider about this before you become pregnant again. I hope this is helpful.

Lindsay
Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center

Hi. I was diagnosed with unicornuate uterus in 2003 after a miscarriage. I was labeled as a high-risk pregnancy, so lots of doctor visits and ultrasounds. I went into labor at 28.5 weeks and was put on bedrest. I carried my daughter to 38.5 weeks and she was born via C-section. She was (and still is) very small for her age, but she is totally healthy. I was told that if I became pregnant again I could expect more of the same (premature labor, bedrest, etc.) My husband and I have decided not to try again and we are very happy with the one miracle we have.

I also have a unicornuate uterus. It was not discovered until I went into premature labor with my first child. She was born at 30 weeks and 5 days by emergency C-section, she wieghed 2 lbs. 15 oz.. She was also breech. My second child was born at 33 weeks and 4 days, she weighed 4 lbs. 6 oz. She was also breech. My third child was born at 36 weeks. Here is what I was told. First getting pregnant is suppose to be harder for unicornate uteruses but I had no problem there in fact my third pregnancy was a surprise. I was also told that each pregnancy could possibly be carried longer which in my case that was true. However, after my last pregnancy I was told that I should not ever get pregnant again because my uterus has now been stretched paper thin and that I would likely get a rupture in my uterus were I to try to carry another pregnancy. In fact my doctor was very concerned that I would rupture with my third pregnancy. He told me that even though the third was not breech that I should not be allowed to go into hard labor due to risk of uterine rupture. My two oldest children spent time in the NICU. The first was there 5 1/2 weeks. She had interuterine growth retardation. She has never caught up on her growth she is still 3 years behind and will always be small. She turns 12 in just a couple of weeks. She has always been healthy just small. My second child was in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. She had a harder start in the NICU than my oldest. She developed lung problems due to prematurity; she developed a pneumothorax and had to have a chest tube put in and be on the ventilator for a couple of days. She is also on the small side but not as small as her older sister. She just turned 7 years old and has had not complications or other health problems since she came home. My third child was my largest one she weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz at birth. She was not breech but I had to have a C-section with her because of the other two. She is the only one who came home when I did. She is also on the small side but alot of that is genetics. We were fortunate that none of girls had any real serious complications due to their early births. The second one had a rocky start but then she quickly recovered and we have been running every since. I have also tried to research unicornuate uteruses and the information I found about them has been very limited. With my second and third pregnancies I was not ordered to go on bed rest; but I did try to limit my activity and rest whenever I had contractions. I was prescribed terbutaline to take whenever I had more than 3 contractions in an hour's time. That also included Braxton Hick's contractions which I had all the time. I asked the doctor about taking steriods to mature the lungs knowing I was going to go into labor early and he did not want to do that unless I was already in labor and they thought they could delay it for 12 to 24 hours. However, once I did go into labor they were unable to delay due to my BP and cervix dilation. I count myself as blessed to have three beautiful and healthy girls despite my uterus.

Hi,
 I had c-section 2 years back as my baby was breech. That time my doctor discovered I had just one fallopian tube. she sent me for several tests. As follows
1. Intravenous Urogram, my kidneys appears to be normal.
2. Pelvic Ultrasound with transvaginal exam, result says- Uterine leiomyoma. two endometrical canals visualised,consistent with history of bicornuate uterus although 2 distinct fundi are not visualized. Right ovarian follicles. left ovary is normal.
3. Hysterosalpingogram, results - Right fallopian tube not visualized with right sided obstruction/occlusion. left side normal.
4. MRI Pelvis, results -Left sided unicornuate uterus.
And still can't conclude the type.
I don't know what role the right fundi maybe or may not have in my 2nd pregnancy, its tiny or rather not grown properly.
  Please help me to figure it out.

Hi! My name is Ashley and I was diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus when I was 16 years old. I am now 26, and my husband and I have been trying to conceive for almost 2 years with no success. We have one adopted son, whom we love tremendously, but wonder what our chances are at conceiving a biological child. Did any of you experience decreased fertility given your condition? Did anyone undergo treatment to conceive?