Does Endometriosis Make My Pregnancy High-Risk?

Endometriosis is a common disease affecting up to 11% of American women and while this illness can be chronic and painful, it can be treated. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, so this is a great time to help you better understand the impact this condition has on your reproductive health, and what it means if you want to have children.

This condition affects the lining of your uterus, but does it make the pregnancy high risk? Here, we examine the basics of endometriosis, what effect it can have if you're having a child, and what can be done to manage any risk.

If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and you’re dealing with both endometriosis and pregnancy, Dr. Staci McHale and her award winning team at New Beginnings OB-GYN can help you cope with any problems that may arise.

Understanding endometriosis

The inner lining of your uterus is your endometrium. During your menstrual cycle, the shedding of this lining causes bleeding. These layers build up during the month, and either shed when you don't get pregnant, or help to support the early phases of fetal development if you do. 

Endometriosis occurs when this tissue grows in areas outside of your uterus, mainly in your pelvis and abdomen, that can lead to very painful cramps, abdominal or back pain, painful sex, heavy bleeding, and painful bowel movements.

How it affects your pregnancy

Since this condition causes tissue similar to your inner uterine lining to form outside of the uterus, it can attach to other parts of your reproductive system, including your fallopian tubes and ovaries. The severity of this condition, in addition to other health problems and age, can affect your chances of getting pregnant and having a safe pregnancy. 

If this illness causes structural damage to the uterus, it can lead to complications, like miscarriages, preterm births, and placenta previa. However, being pregnant can also reduce many of the symptoms like heavy bleeding and painful periods since you wouldn’t have periods at this time.

Ways to manage the risk

There are several safe ways to manage issues with endometriosis during pregnancy, including basic steps you can do at home, hormone therapies and minimally invasive treatments. You can manage issues with this condition while pregnant with gentle exercises, gentle yoga, heating pads, adding fiber-rich foods to your diet, and over the counter pain relievers. 

Hormonal therapy options include pills with progestin or a combination of progestin and estrogen, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Endometriosis lesions can also be removed by keyhole surgeries, a type of laparoscopic procedure that is done in emergencies if the baby is in danger.

Whether or not your pregnancy is high risk due to endometriosis is down to the severity of the condition and numerous other health factors. If you’re pregnant and dealing with reproductive conditions like endometriosis, make an appointment with Dr. McHale and her team at New Beginnings OB-GYN today to maximize your and your baby’s health during this time.