Endometriosis and Pregnancy

Hi there,
I have endometriosis. I have had two pregnancies that have both unfortunately ended in miscarriage (totally unrelated to Endo). The first pregnancy finished at 12 weeks. I am in my second pregnancy but have been diagnosed with a blighted ovum and am waiting to miscarry. Anyway, in my small amount of experience, I have enjoyed less endo pain due to not having a period. However, I think there is more of a different pain due to the scar tissue. I have a lot of stretching pains as the uterus grows. I know normal pregnant women do too, but I do wonder if I might get it a bit more because of the scar tissue.

With me, the endometrial tissue grew and swelled and irritated when I got my period and because I didn't get a period anymore, it meant the endometrial tissue wasn't affected. However, I believe that other women will be affected in other ways. Hope this helps a little bit. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Hi there,
I live in Christchurch so probably a bit tricky to get to this time round, but thanks for the heads up about the Endometriosis group! I was lucky to not have too much pain once I had a Mirena put in (no periods) but everyone is different hey? Scar tissue can be really painful too. Keep in touch!

I do/did have (I'm not sure of the current status!) But I had a lap operation to remove it just before I got pregnant with my first, so I guess it was all gone for the pregnancy. I didn't notice anything at all out of the ordinary - I did have a decent amount of cramping, but I've talked to lots of people who had similar without endo, so suspect it's a pregnancy thing. And my next two pregnancies have been one after the other, so I don't know whether the endo would have had any time to grow back in the months between. Not a lot of help, sorry!

Hi I have had endo since I was 12 yrs old and have had 22 surgeries in total to laser it but like normal every 6 to 8 months it grew back I never had periods and was lucky if I got one a yr so was very fortunate to get pregnant as you can imagine.
With my first pregnancy it was really bad the pain I was in went into the second trimester and was so bad I landed in hospital for pain relief but the great thing was after having her I was pain free for 15 months ;).
Then it came back and I had my 22nd surgery ;( and got told I needed to resort to a hysterectomy as my lost option cause I had not had a period for 5 months again by then and that my ovaries are dormant ;( and should be happy I have my girl.
Well I had some other complications with something unrelated my jaw and got told to book surgery for that too I decided can't do both so ill book jaw one and wait to get my full hysterectomy not even 2 wks later I got pregnant with my second.
Crazy and to have a second miracle makes me realise don't let anyone tell you it can't happen ;) i am now due with my second in July and my daughter was born 3yrs ago in 2010 ;).
Have had pain with this one too but nothing close to the pain I had with my daughter lying down and paracetamol seems to do the trick which is great I'm thinking its cause now the body knows what to do and is already stretched inside or could be cause my lost surgery was last February not sure.
All I can say is congrats on your pregnancy take it slowly it really does hurt but I know lots of woman it clears up early in pregnancy which means no pain. Just depends how much endo you have there I guess ;(.
Anyway writing to much good luck and if you ever need to chat let me know ;)

Edited by katia - 13 March 2013 at 12:31pm

Hi there, I also have endo and have had two lots of surgeries with the amount of endo tissue removed increasing with each opertaion. This is my second pregnancy since it was diagnosed (approx 8 years ago)the first pregnancy was just after having the second surgery and I had little or no pain during that pregancy. I am now into my second trimester and still have endo type pain, daily. When I raised the possibility with my midwife that the pain could be endo related she phoned an obstetrician at our local hospital to make further inquiries. The specialist has stated that she is very certain that there is no way my pain could be endo or scar tissue from my previous operations...I am now waiting to see an obstetrician which is exactly what I have been trying to avoid! Anyhow I guess the point of my story is, it's best to discuss with your midwife/gp particularly if the pain continues past the first trimster as mine has.

Very interesting to read. I have had cancerous cells removed about 2years ago. Been trying to pregos for 8months. Went in for a check up with my gynie this week who said I have endo. Surgery in a week. Hoping to get preg after the op. have tried everything else to get pregos, natural fertility, cupping, ovulation tracking and strips, different positions, the lot. I'm only 24 so fingers cross things will happen soon.