Doctors missed a massive fibroid before I started IVF 😔and my embryo was minutes from being transferred … scan experiences?

[Ree_Laine]

Hey Ladies,

can I ask if any of you had an abdominal scan before you started IVF treatment? I’ve only had the internal vaginal scans and not abdominal scan. On the day of transfer I had mild/ moderate symptoms of OHSS and the doctor did an abdominal scan and noticed a 16cm x 10cm fibroid in my upper tummy. She was so shocked that not one doctor picked it up and refused to do the transfer not only because I had OHSS but she said your baby would struggle during pregnancy and I would too. I cannot believe it got this far without anyone noticing. I did stims, egg collection, numerous scans and it was never picked up.

I don’t know if this is normal? But I will be making a complaint as I had to be hospitalised for 4 days from OHSS and it’s made the positioning of my fibroid worse.

Any advice would be helpful x

[Tnthketnf]

Hi

I am sorry this happened to you. It is devastating when you were hoping to get a transfer. The good thing is that you created embryo(s) waiting for you and at least this was picked up before transferring any.

I had an abdominal scan before I was even referred for ivf, during the various tests I had. I had it because of certain symptoms I had. I am not sure it's a standard test when exploring infertility.

my understanding is that the oestrogen we produce during stimulation, especially if you had OHSS, makes the fibroids bigger. So maybe before your cycle it wasn't that big.

I hope they can tell you soon how they will treat it and make a plan for your transfer . All the best!

[Ree_Laine in reply to Tnthketnf]

Hey hun, thanks for your reply. It’s so strange to me that I’ve had numerous scans and no one did an abdominal one from 2021 when I first got NHS funding until now. I’m very grateful to have got one frostie 🌈💕my one and only that will have to wait for me until I’m better. You’re right because I’m pretty sure the oestrogen and progesterone I was taking after Egg collection had a detrimental effect on the large fibroid’s growth 😔. Well I’ll see what the clinic say regarding next steps. I’m waiting to hear back from a consultant now, I hope they look to rectify this as soon as possible and it’s not a lengthy wait for removal xx

[Aquaharmony]

Hi Ree_Laine,

So sorry to hear about your experience. I was also aware of my fibroids ahead of starting ivf in fact this was the main reason I did ivf as I was recommended to try to freeze ahead of an open myomectomy. I believe an internal vaginal scan is standard ahead of ivf I did have an abdominal scan but this only picked up one fibroid and was much less accurate than the internal scan for me. I later shortly before my surgery had an MRI but this was specifically because my pain was getting worse to help identify positioning and size ahead of my surgery. I I believe if an immediate transfer had been intended I would have also had an abdominal scan prior to starting ivf but as I was only freezing it wasn't necessary. I hope this information is of some use.

Like Tnthketnf says it is great that you found out ahead of the transfer of your embryo given the risks and I really hope you can quickly get the fibroid addressed so you can get back to your transfer and wish you all the best. I am sure this is extremely frustrating for you and hope it all works out in the end.

[Ree_Laine in reply to Aquaharmony]

Hi lovely, thank you for your reply and sharing your experience. I’m now out of hospital so my consultant will be booking me in for an MRI this week so they have full clarity on my whole abdomen area. I’m just anxious and ready to have this fibroid taken out. Once out, I will feel much more confident about a transfer and hopeful pregnancy 🌈💕xx

[Aquaharmony in reply to Ree_Laine]

Glad to hear you are out of hospital and that they plan to do an MRI quickly. Good luck for the results and I hope the removal can be a fast and straightforward one for you!

[Boo718]

hiya I’m so sorry this has happened. We always have an abdominal and internal scan before we start anything. Our clinic is in Spain but we get it done at home then the clinic sends the pics and info abroad. They then give us the go ahead of all is ok xxx

[Ree_Laine in reply to Boo718]

thanks for your reply hun, it appears in most cases an abdominal scan is usually done on top of the internal one so mine was definitely missed 😔. I’m anxious but hopeful to hear the consultant’s plans for my fibroid removal as he will be phoning tomorrow 🤞💕

[Marisa32]

I had all those scans prior to IVF but I don't live in the UK, so probably different over there. I'm glad the last doctor picked it up on your end. Better late than never.