[elmh23]

My SIL gave birth at 28 weeks yesterday. She's been monitored for weeks now because the placenta was really small and so was the baby (and SIL was on bedrest for I think 3 weeks.) Yesterday, when she went in, the baby had some serious heart decels and they decided to take the baby. Anyways, either right before or while they were doing the c-section (vertical cut because of the rush) they noticed SIL had a bi-cornit (is that right?) uterus.

Here's my question: Why didn't they notice this sooner? SIL spent 2 years trying to get pregnant, one of them with medical intervention. They've looked at this baby on u/s so much that I thought it was a bit rediculous until I learned baby and placenta weren't growing right. Anyone have any knowledge on this? Also, should I worry about it when my own daughter is old enough for kids? My MIL also has a sister with this issue and it's her dd.

Also, what's the "average" size of a 28 weeker? The baby weighed in at 1lb 8oz and dh wanted to know how "little" that was. Baby is doing pretty okay considering how small she is, so that's good.

Thanks!

 

[coloradoalice]

Wow!

I have a friend that has a bi-cornate uterus and they discovered it immediately. They were actually really concerned she wouldn't carry to term because of the limited space, and they were concerned baby wouldn't turn because of no room and they were wrong on both accounts!! She had her baby right around his due date vaginally without complications.

I know that her situation was a very positive outcome though, I did some research and it does seem that there is a much higher chance of pre-term birth with a bi-cornate uterus.

I don't know if that helps at all. Good wishes to her and her baby!

 

[LittleOne03]

I think I can answer the size question. I am 28 weeks today and I had an ultrasound two days ago to check growth. Baby was measuring right on in just about every measurement, and they estimated her size at 2 pounds 7 ounces, so I'm guessing that is about "average" for this gestation. Hope that helps!

 

[tracylhl]

I have a bicornate uterus. They didn't find it until after I lost a set of twins at 12 wks. when I went into labor. It can be quite hard to detect on u/s unless the tech is very well trained in what it looks like, and most aren't. Mine was noticed and considered w/ u/s but was confirmed by an HSG and a sonohysterography, neither of which are done w/out serious belief that they are looking for something specific. My twins were actually my second pregnancy and it was never even considered during my first one. Also, my first son was born at 40 1/2 wks., so it IS possible to go full term w/ a bi-cornate uterus. My other 2 live births were at 39 wks 2 days and 39 and 5 days. I'm 38 wks today w/ another. Also, it's important to know that once you are much into a pregnancy, it's almost impossible to diagnose bicornate uterus b/c the uterus stretches and makes the seperation kinda disappear on the u/s. That is likely why they wouldn't have known during the pregnancy and would have clearly seen it during the c/s.

As for concern for your dd, a bi-cornate uterus is generally not something passed through a family. It is a similar to being born w/ a disfigured arm or missing 1/2 a leg or something like that. It is usually caused by trauma during a pregnancy at around the 12 wk. mark. Not necessarily physical trauma, but medications, a genetic "fluke" that causes things to go wrong, etc. No one else in my family has one that they know of, but we do know that my mother was on a strong migraine med. during that time of the pregnancy w/ me. We also know that she bled a lot and definately had a "threatened m/c" at about that point in the pregnancy w/ me, so it's likely that something just went slightly astray. hope that helps!!

Like I said, it is possible for most w/ bicornate uterus to have a healthy pregnancy, but not always. I've lost 4 babies and am preparing to deliver my 4th live one. I was told after losing my twins that I should not get pregnant again b/c of the high risk and b/c I hemoraged so badly in that loss. We just decided that wasn't what God intended for us!

 

[Starr]

I also have a bicornuate uterus. They first noticed mine during an internal US and then it was confirmed with an HSG. The Dr. said mine wasn't too bad and would be easy to work with but that my pregnancy (if I can get pg) would be very monitered. I don't think all tech's are experts at identifying them because the lady that performed the first internal looked really confused and called someone in to verify it. I also have two cervix's who knew?!