dermoid ovarian cyst?

[sanguine_speed]

Has anyone else experienced a dermoid cyst on her ovary during pregnancy?

This was identified at 6 weeks and was at first mistaken for an ectopic pregnancy due to pain on the side and lack of visibility of a fetal pole. Anyway, at that time, I had a bad SCH and the pregnancy was looking lost, so they didn't want to act. This was all in the ER, so I didn't have a follow-up.

Fast forward to 20 weeks now, and my u/s showed the dermoid cyst again, and it has grown to 3.5cm from 2.2cm at 6 weeks.

It has been bothering me, with a stabbing sensation every so often, usually several times a day.

My midwife is sending me to an OB/GYN for a consult. I'm just wondering what others' experiences have been, and am wondering whether I may face surgical removal during pregnancy? If so, how is this normally done? Spinal?

My undersatnding is that unlike other types of ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts do not go away on their own--ultimately they end up being removed. The question I guess is whether it can/should be done now, or whether I should risk a rupture/torsion and emergency surgery later.

[dana76]

I don't have any answers, but I'm sorry you're having to possibly face surgery during your pregnancy.

[sanguine_speed]

Thanks, mama.

Anyone?

[sanguine_speed]

Well, fast forward a year.

Had my baby, and of course still had the cyst.  It's being removed early next year.

[maotmsmi]

*

Edited by maotmsmi - 5/21/11 at 11:58am

[myk]

i've got one! it's a big one. i'm having it removed after the pregnancy is all done and recovered from. it's not symptomatic most of the time and 3 different docs agree that it doesn't need treatment now. still kind of freaks me out though.. i nicknamed it Frankenstein cause sometimes dermoids have hair or teeth in them

[myorianna]

I have a 4cm dermoid cyst.  I found out about having a cyst 3.5 years ago during my pregnancy with DD - at the time, it was just a fluid filled one.  The OB told me nothing to worry about but that she would keep an eye on it.  Fast forward to now, I had forgotten about it except for having a hard time TTC #2.  I went to get things checked out and found out it was still there and now had calcification spots on it (turned into a dermoid somehow?).  I was told it could be my problem with sub-fertility.

But, I just found out I got pregnant (4 weeks!) so I am just going to hold tight through this pregnancy (hopefully) and take care of it later.  I also hear that change in diet and acupuncture may help clear cysts naturally, but I don't know anyone personally who did that.