Third Miscariage Turns into a Split Uterus Diagnosis

J.:

I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I know from personal experience how painful that is. After 4 years of trying, I conceived a baby and lost the baby, only to discover that I have BOTH uterine abnormalities. One was due to the outside shape (it's called bicournate or heart-shaped). The other was due to a septum inside my uterus separating it into two chambers.

Even though my abnormalities were extensive, the good news I want to share with you is that a surgeon could remove the septum (couldn't fix the external abnormality) and I have had 3 healthy babies, and no more miscarriages even though I still have the external abnormality.

Here are a few of the details of my experience: my ob/gyn referred me to a specialist in uterine abnormalities. The specialist also did an ultrasound and a dye test to determine how extensive the abnormality was. Neither one could fully confirm which type of abnormality I had (now we know that's because I had both), but the surgeon was clear that if I wanted to have a baby, I needed to have an exploratory laporoscopy for him to see how extensive the abnormality was and possibly fix it. Surgery scared me, but I came to realize this might be the only way to have children.

The surgery took an hour and a half. Because they had to do an exploration of the outside and inside, I had a laporoscopy and a hysteroscopy. During the surgery, the doctor was able to remove most of the septum, which increased the volume of my uterus over 50%. After he removed the septum, he put a little balloon in there so that as the lining of my uterus healed, it wouldn't collapse onto itself. The surgery was scheduled just after my period, and the natural sluffing off and rebuilding of the lining that happens during the menstrual cycle was a natural healing process. The balloon naturally started to come out when my period started, and after a routine check-up the doctor told me my husband and I could go ahead and try to get pregnant. I got pregnant about 3 months after my surgery and, like I said, my baby was beautiful and healthy. I did deliver 3 weeks early, but had a vaginal delivery. My other 2 babies came right on time and I had vaginal deliveries with them too.

Just to give you some sense of how it all works: I was able to go home the same day, but I was in lots of pain and really groggy. Within about 4 days I could move around pretty comfortably. I went back to my regular routine a week after the surgery, but I really didn't feel fully recovered for a few more weeks after the surgery. I couldn't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 4 weeks, so you might want to arrange for some extra help with your little boy for a while. It might have taken me a little longer to recover because the surgeon also discovered some endometriosis that he removed.

Best wishes to you!

I am sooo sorry for what you have gone through. A miscarriage is one of the hardest thing, especially when it is repetitive. I have only had one at 5 months and still have a hard time getting over delivering my baby at the time. That being said my only true understanding is friends of mine that had 6 miscarriages before ever having their first. They were were so sad about their situation for a long time but they always seemed to keep a good attitude in saying, there is a greater plan for them and if it is meant to be, it is meant to be. In the long run, they had two children and feel such gratitude every day.

What I have learned is, they are right, don't force nature, what is meant to be will be. The GREAT news for you is, you did have a successful pregnancy, you do have a beautiful child and you will likely do it again. The most important thing is that you calm down, don't stress, and let it be. And remember, your family is complete today, you have a loving husband, you have a beautiful blessing you were given the privilege of giving birth to and enjoying.

I pray that you have another child and that you do not have to feel your sadness for too long. It is a hole in your heart and I totally understand how hard it is. Good luck to you.

I have not information. I just wanted to let you know that I am so sorry for your loss. My tears do not help you, but I did want you to know that I just prayed that you would have one more successful pregnancy. I have a theory that for those who have to work a little harder to complete their families have an appreciation for their children that could not have been gained any other way. Blessings.

I also have a heart shaped uterus that had a septum running 1/3 the way down the middle. I had a miscarriage and then was able to carry and deliver a healthy boy to term. His was breech but my doctor was able to cut away some of the septum during the c-section. I have since delivered two healthy girls via VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). Get another opinion and see if you can correct your uterus. Otherwise, you may have a few more miscarriages but you DID conceive and deliver a little boy and therefore it can happen again!

Good luck!

Hi J.,
I am so sorry for your loss. You have every right to scream. I specialize in fertility and women's reproductive health and practice herbal medicine and mayan abdominal and uterine massage. I am not sure where you live but I have worked with many women who have different shaped uterii and have had successful pregnancies. If you are interested in the work, look for more information at www.arvigomassage.com. You can also contact me directly at www.holistic-pathways.com on the contact page ____@____.com

I honor you on your journey and wish for all the best.

Regards, L. Golub, Clinical Herbalist

My sis-in-law also had the split uterus. It was discovered after she had her 1st child at 24 weeks - 1 lb. 9oz - . The baby struggled for a long time, but she made it! She is now a happy 6 year old who needs a little extra help with sensory issues. After her 1st child, she saw an OB specialist (they are in Milwaukee, WI) and had a surgery to remove the wall of tissue and her uterus is also heart shaped. So, with baby #2, he was fullterm and 8 lbs., but was breech because of her uterus and had to be Csection. She had another miscarriage last year, but had her third healthy child just last week! I don't have anything much to offer, other than someone else's story and to let you know that there are doctors out there that deal with this very thing and if your doctor says "no", go get a different one! Blessings on your quest!

Hi J.,
Your story really touched me, and I can feel that you are in a lot of pain. I am so sorry to hear that. I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you. May you find comfort and strength in the Lord Almighty, with Him all things are possible. You are in my prayers.
H.

J.,

First off I have to tell you I'm jealous of where you live!! How nice!! I love living where I do, but it isn't 'mine'. We are renting on our family property from an Aunt.

Back to YOU:

I have a friend who has a sister who had this same problem!!! Only without the first child. Her doctor was able to remove the 'wall' and she was able to get pregnant that next month. Now not to get ANYONE'S hopes up that far, she comes from an intensely fertile family, like really really fertile, unfair kind of fertile!! So there is hope. I would get a second opinion on it. There is likely something your doctor can do, or another doctor. Second opinions are great. Be honest with your first opinion doctor, and your second opinion doctor. Let them both know that you are getting a second opinion. And just because you get a good answer from #2 doesn't mean you can't tell #1 that THAT is what you want #1 to do. Been there, it works!

V.

J.,
Although I have not had miscarriages, I did have a split uterus and a C-Section as a result. My doctor called it a septated uterus and did a surgery called a laproscopic hysteroscopy. Basically he went in and removed the part of my uterus that was hanging down and "splitting" my uterus. The reason he did the surgery was because he said if I got pregnant and the embryo planted on that split part that it wouldn't receive enough nutrients because it's like an extra piece of skin. The doctor that I went to for this procedure was Dr. Mark Bush and he works at a clinic called Conceptions. They have two offices, one in littleton and one in lafayette. The surgery was day surgery and I was able to go back to work on a Monday after surgery on a Wednesday. I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I can only imagine the pain that you must be feeling and I pray that you may recieve some comfort. If there is anything else that I can do to help or if you just want to talk, please let me know.

I am so sorry for your loss, and for the diagnosis. I'll pray for you and your family. Keep a dialogue with your doctor about this - he or she may have some advice. I don't know much about the condition, but there is probably a fertility specialist out there who may be able to help, even if the condition can't be fixed? Hang in there, girl - we're rooting for you!

Hi J.,

Looking at the posts, I'm hoping you already feel a little less alone, though I know nothing can take your pain away. I'm so sorry for your losses.

I also lost 3 prior to having my daughter. I have a bicornuate (sp) uterus, which I was told is essentially the split uterus, where it almost looks like a heart. Anyway, I miscarried until I finally saw a high risk OB. Once I did that, she put me on bedrest for the first trimester and I was out of the woods after that. I did not need a c-section.

Don't know how much that helps you, but I have been there and overcome the problem. Best of luck to you.

Yep. I have traveled your path: bicorneat uterus, infertility after my first, miscarriages, the whole gammut. Apparently I can only reproduce in Olympic and Election years. My first in 2000, next boy in 2004 (preemie at 29 weeks), and my last one with gestational diabetes in 2008.

Everyone has their talents and challenges. I am AWESOME with color coordination. I suck at growing kids. Things will work out darling, things will work out. When something is hard, you just do the best you can with what you have, and get help when you start to fall apart. You'll make it, you will. :D You are definitely not alone. Some day, you will respond to someone who is taking the same path that you did... and you will utterly understand. Hang in there baby!