Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Cervical Polyp During Pregnancy

Note as of October 4, 2013: This by far is my most popular post. While I am glad people are searching for information regarding cervical polyps, I want you to know that this is my experience with one during pregnancy and I understand that everyone's experience with them is different. I still stand by my advice to check yourself but do see a doctor about it at some point. I will tell you that after my son's birth, my polyp seems to be gone so that is pretty cool. I hope your experience with them isn't horrible and just more of an annoyance too!

As the title indicates, this is a somewhat personal post. It discusses the cervix and blood. If you are not interested in that, or you are my father and think I should not be discussing this to the world, there is no need to read on. I want to post this though for other woman who want to read someone's else experience with cervical polyps because as I was looking into it myself, I didn't find a whole lot.

But first, a cat picture.
I am not sure if I will say the word vagina. It may come up though.

Here we go, you were warned.

Back in December, I started to have some random vaginal (ope, that was fast) bleeding. I was about 12 weeks pregnant at the time so it freaked me out a little. I frantically texted my cousin, who is due a couple weeks before me, and asked her if she experienced that at all. She reassured me that she did and it made me feel better. However, I also decided to do a self exam during that time and discovered a funny little lump on the inside of my cervix. It felt kinda like what that little hangy ball in the back of your throat would feel like if it was inside your cervix (yes, that is my best description). I googled some things and self diagnosed myself with a cervical polyp. Cervical polyps are little growths inside your cervix that tend to bleed. It isn't really known why they occur and you don't have to be pregnant to get them.

I let Christmas pass and then I called my midwife and described it to her. She asked if I was in the medical profession because most women wouldn't check themselves but I told her that, no I wasn't, I just was worried and wanted to know what the hell was going on. Seemed normal to me. She said it sounded like a polyp and they would check it at the next appointment in a week. If I started having other symptoms, stomach ache, more bleeding, etc, I should call back but otherwise, it would probably be safe to wait.

A week later they checked it out and said that I indeed had a little polyp and it would bleed now and then and it wasn't anything to worry about. It sounded like I was the first woman they knew with one. Even just this last week, the midwife told me she took it to her peer review group and they all said it was anything to worry about during pregnancy. So apparently, I was the first one. Fun.

Anywho, for about a month, I would bleed randomly very lightly and sometimes it was a fair amount of blood that would always freak me out a little. And recently, I haven't been bleeding at all...which is really nice, by the way.

So, while having a cervical polyp is hella annoying, it isn't anything to worry too much about. As long as I am not losing too much blood (and I haven't been close) and I don't have other symptoms, I needn't worry. Hopefully the thing will just fall off during birth. If not, I could have it removed after birth from an obgyn but hopefully it just disappears at some point.

If you suspect you have a polyp, just go ahead and talk to your doctor/midwife about it. Do a self exam too. It won't hurt. Be brave. It is just your vagina.

20 comments:

Melody said...

Can't wait to figure out a way to one-up you on the grossness factor of this post....

Jenny said...

I think this is great! Way to take initiative especially during such an important time!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your post. My daughter is 14 weeks pregnant after 2 miscarriages. Last night she had some bleeding, went to the doctor today and was diagnosed with a cervical polyp. Of course after the miscarriages, the bleeding was so frightening, but baby is fine, heartbeat great. It really helped to hear your story as it sounds exactly like what my daughter experienced.

Jennifer Spuler said...

So I had a polyp removal back in DEC when I was 14 weeks pregnant. It had bled pretty bad after intercourse and that is how they found it. And about 10 days after removal and 14 days after bleeding my water broke and I went into labor about 24 hours later and lost my son at 17 weeks. So now I am 10 weeks and just had Dr visit and they checked my cervix. I had two huge polyps. I was going to get a cerclage placed at 12 weeks so now Dr wants to remove the polyps and do cerclage at same time. the polyps are opening my cervix. How did your pregnancy go?

Farmer's Veggie Wife said...

I am glad some people are reading this post and comparing it to their experience.
Jennifer - I am so sorry that you lost your baby at 17 weeks. That would be awful. That is interesting that your polyps are opening your cervix. That has to be scary. I hope your procedure goes well for you! My pregnancy is still going strong, I am at 34 1/2 weeks now. At my next appointment, during my Strep B test, my midwife if going to see if she can see the polyp now and what it looks like so I'm not sure what it is like at this point. Good luck with your current pregnancy!

Jane Doe said...

Me too lost my baby at 13 weeks due to the cervical polyp. It started bleeding suddenly and OS opened and had to pass the baby. We are on TTC now and am really worried.

Anonymous said...

At 11 weeks I was just diagnosed with one. My doctor said no sex for the duration of pregnancy (you can imagine my poor husbands reaction to this news) and also that he would NOT remove it because it is too dangerous during pregnancy.

Neetu said...

There is misconception of loosing baby with polyp...this is just small.growth and it can happen with anyone...

jen she said...

My ob discovered my polyp when i had my iud checked on june. I was so uncomfortable for years and had this unpleasant discharge because of it. So my ob removed my iud and took a swab for pap smear and it showed that i have an moderate infection. She gave me two sets of oral antibiotic and a vaginal one. Then just right after my medication i got pregnant. At 8th week i had bleeding so i needed transV to make sure the baby is alive. By God's grace it is. My ob advice to abstain from sex for the duration of my pregnancy and said that i should not push when i need to do #2 bec my cervix is slightly opened. Now im still having this funny looking discharge (but not smelly anymore) and this sharp pain on my lower back and abdomen. This is my 3rd pregnancy but my first time to be so uncomfortable! Sadly my partner couldn't understand why i cant give he what he wants. And i feel awful and stressed out that he's not willing to go an extra mile and try to understand my situation. Making me feel like im the bad guy tho i didn't want this want this polyp in my body. :(

Anonymous said...

HI all,

I am 12 weeks, and in today's doc appointment was diagnosed with cervical polyp. my doc said we can remove during 2nd trimester, but is it safe? Will it lead to loss, as I had a miscarriage couple of months back.
Please advise really stressed.

Thanks..!!

Anonymous said...

Hello. This is my second pregnancy; second polyp:( The first one fell off during childbirth and I am 13 weeks now and waiting to see a gynaecological specialist. We refrain from sex (I have to say a lot of these partners complaining should have to have something dangling off of their bits for 40 weeks and be terrified of losing a baby to see what real "difficulty" feels like!). No-I'm sure my husband isn't jumping for joy, but he also knows that the healthy baby far outweighs the negative. My doctors advised that unless the polyp must be removed, that leaving it is the best line of defence. I am hoping that this polyp does not adversely affect my cervix. I am so glad this post is here and felt compelled to write. When I had my first; there were no real accounts of this and I too was my doctors "first polyp" in 20+ years of practice. Joy. So yes, we are rare ladies, but normal!

lolo said...

Hi, I am 24 weeks with my first pregnancy and went to the ER the night before last bc of bright red blood on my toilet paper. The dr found a polyp on my cervix and said that this was def the cause, and that its completely common due to hormones in pregnant women to get these. WHAT A RELIEF! My cervix is closed and my baby is doing great, so I'm not worried about it at all. Dr and Midwife both say that they are pretty normal and so try not to stress if you have one. Def no sex for the duration of pregnancy tho, and I have been told no more exercising :(

shryder said...

Hello. Out of curiosity did any of you experience mild cramps from the polyps? I am on my fourth pregnancy (I miscarried with my first) and just discovered I have a cervical polyp at 8w. I have mild cramping which is concerning me - but of course it's the holiday and my ob is not responding to messages. So, I am just curious if any of you ever experienced the same mild cramping.

Unknown said...

Hey :) I'm currently 10w pregnant, I've been spotting off n on for the last 6w (annoying) , 3 days ago I had a good amount of blood that just gushed out (after an orgasm) I was so scared cos an index size clot (just one clot,) followed ... went to ed, had an u/s and seen baby all healthy/moving/goodheartbeat. They didn't check me internally n I was discharged with a threatened miscarriage. Yesterday went to see my gp n she did a spec (internal examination) and said I have a big amount of old watery blood in my vagina still waiting to come out, my cervix is closed but I have a vaginal polyp. My gp Said the blood could have possibly come from my cervix ... but it's just a waiting game now .... I've had 3 miscarriages 1 healthy 5 yo girl n a rocky pregnancy :). I'm really hoping the bleeding is from the polyp as I don't want to go through another Miscarriage, God help us .... has anyone else experienced this?

Farmer's Veggie Wife said...

Your experience sounds so stressful and scary. It sounds like you are handling it the best you can. I hope it was a polyp! Mine did end up going away - I think - but it did cause bleeding my entire pregnancy. I never had a mountain of blood but it was worse after sex. I am sending hugs and hopes for a safe pregnancy. Hugs for all your babies that didn't make it to term and your healthy little one.

Cheyenne said...

Thank you sooo much for this post!! I just found my cervical polyp today - I do cervix checks daily because my husband & I are TTC our first after a very traumatic miscarriage at 13 weeks back in June - it feels JUST like that funny dangly thing in the back of the throat (aka the uvula). I've been spotting a fair amount after sex this cycle, and lo and behold, this thing emerges 2 days after ovulation! I called my midwife and she said "honestly I have no idea what you are describing, but if you aren't in any pain then you're probably fine." I'm just praying I still have a shot this cycle since I am finally in the two-week wait.

Unknown said...

Hi all, Do you feel that cervical polyps may be making it difficult for you to conceive? At IVF Spring, Mumbai, the top Fertility Clinics in India, we determine the cause of your infertility, and provide treatments that cater to your specific problem. Cervical Polyps can cause infertility issues and also increase the chances of miscarriage, which is incredibly taxing for the mind and body. Our treatment plan for Cervical Polyps involves first treating the polyp itself, and then taking care of any infertility issues that arise. Our specialists are experts in the field of fertility, and work together in a team, to ensure that you get the best results from our treatments. With highly accurate methods of testing, and state-of-the-art equipment, we work efficiently to make sure that your problem is solved to our best capability. Our IVF and IUI treatments are conducted in the finest manner, with a special emphasis on providing specialized treatment to our patients. The success rates for our fertility treatments are among the top in the industry, with an emphasis on client satisfaction. Visit IVF Spring, and get your fertility problems taken care of, only by the best in the industry.

Global Star Surrogacy said...

At Global Star Surrogacy, intended parents are not discriminated against, based on marital status or sexual orientation, meaning that everyone can find surrogacy program here. Our focus is on not just facilitating every aspect of your surrogacy process, but also going on your journey with you. The specialists at Global-Star are certified experts in the industry, and have years of experience in treating patients who suffer from Unexplained Treatments. Here we take care of your finances and budgets too! We hand over you a treatment plan according to your affordability. No doubt why we are known as Best International Surrogacy Agency in many countries of the world. Globalstar Surrogacy Agency has its firms opened in UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Georgia and is doing excellent everywhere. Whether you need a strong shoulder, a guide, or a counsellor, we aim at supporting and enriching you during your journey. Consult Global Star Surrogacy and take your best shot at parenthood.With a strong belief in two-way communication, we ensure that all your doubts are cleared, so that you can sit back and relax, while we give you a memorable surrogacy journey.

Thank you, Have a great day ahead! :-)

IVF Hospital in Mumbai said...

I assume that is great! Way to take initiative specifically throughout such an crucial time.

Gynaecologist in Mumbai said...

Thank you so much for sharing great Post . Are you Gynaecology in Mumbai. Our center is one of the best gynaecology centre in Mumbai.