pregnant with an ovarian cyst

[lak82]

Hi I'm a 23yr old and have just been told I have a ovarian cyst-? dermoid, ? serious cyst adenoma. It measures 17.5cm X 8.4cm X 18cm so is fairly large. It was picked up on my 10wk ultrasound as I am pregnant. The Dr has told me the best time to operate is at 14wks but miscarriage is a possibility, but going full term and having my baby could put us both at risk if the cyst ruptures. I am scared as and have no idea of what to do.  Any info or other peoples stories would be much appreciated.  Thanks

[Jess80]

Hi Lak82
First of all, how are things going for you? I am praying for you that all is well.
When my cyst was first found it was only ( at 7 weeks, threatened miscarriage) 3.6cm and when I had scan at 18 weeks it was 4.4cm so slowly growing. I had a scan at hospital when I went into premmie labour but we forgot to get size checked so am now unsure just how big it is!! I'm kinda guessing that it hasn't grown too big given that from week 7 to week 18 it had only grown 0.8cm.
I am going really well, about to hit 33 weeks on Monday 13/11 so the countdown is on!!
I have been reading lots on the internet about dermoids and my Dr has also said pregnancy shoud not affect it however, they can burst and should I feel pain on or near my left ovary just to get to hospital so that none of the fluid (if it ruptures) can casue an infection to bub. He also told me that he has treated a pregnant patient before with quite a large Dermoid and said that hers burst during pregnancy and she had no problems at all, I mean apart from pain from it rupturing but she and bub were completely fine. I also asked my ob when I had scan that if it were to get too big during my pregancy that they would operate to take it out but assured me that these days they can go and take it out quite safely without a major risk to bub. I hope this gives you some sort of reassureance and not confusion!!
I will never again in my life think that pregnancy is just simple task , my hat goes off to every woman who has ever been pregnant, it sure is stressful creating life!!
God bless and my thoughts are with you................

[SchaeffMama]

I hope you all can help me. I'm on my 4th pregnancy. I've had 3 full-term healthy pregnancies with C-section (breech births) and 2 laparotomies for adhesions and ovarian cysts and 3 laparoscopies for ovarian cysts over the past 20 years.

I did a home pregnacny test on Oct 13 and my first doc appointment is tomorrow. 2 days ago, while I was out of town, I had a gush of vaginal bleeding and felt clots pass as well. Thinking for sure it was a miscarriage. I went to a local hospital and was diagnosed with a healthy 8 week fetus and a "huge" right ovarian cyst. The ER doc put me on a "threatened miscarriage" status. I followed up by phone with my doc yesterday and he didn't seem concerned. He said cysts during pregnancy are common and he's not concerned of a threat to my pregnancy. I see him tomorrow, as scheduled.

Have you all had bleeding with your cysts? Is there a chance that I could have had twins but miscarried one? I've kept myself on a "threatened miscarriage" status as the ER put me on, because I'm still scared. I had obe spotting this morning, but that's been it.

Any info or help you can give me will help. Thanks for being there

[lak82]

Hi Jess, how are you? Hows everything going? I was just wondering how big your cyst is?
***@****

[Jess80]

I totally understand what alot of you are going through or been through with cysts on ovaries. I am almost 31 weeks pregnant and was told at 7 weeks I have a dermoid cyst on one of my ovaries. I too felt my world was over especially when they told be about dermoids!! I really wanted a great pregnancy and wanted to embrace every part of it but I have had nothing but stress the whole way! I went into premmie labour at 6 months but thankfully everything stopped and bub is still going strong. My Dr advised that they would remove my ovary with the cyst 3 months after bub is born. I have had several ultrasounds and have seen bub eveytime and they assured me bub is looking healthy but I am still consummed with fear that something will be wrong because of the cyst, I really am hoping the next 9 weeks go quick because the fear and stress is really horrible, I mean I am trying not to let it get to me but it is so HARD. Does anyone know if a dermoid cyst can affect the baby's development or if the eggs are damaged by a dermoid? Just looking for any kind of reassurance....thanks....god bless..

[lak82]

Hi there. Eventhough my cyst is so large I had no symptoms what so ever. Nothing. No pain, heavy periods etc. I have found out from this site that some women get cysts everytime they have their periods. But that they are just small fluid sacs and disapper until their next period. But mine is not going anywhere. So as far as getting checked out prior to trying to get pregnant, I'm really not sure? My pregnancy was unplanned and my cyst was only discovered at a 9wk ultrasound. I wouldn't have known it was there until the usual 20wks ultrasound except that my hormone levels were elevate so the Dr thought I may be having twins so I pushed him for an ultrasound to find out. I know this doesn't really help. Prob just ask your Dr what he reckons? Leicha

[mamp]

did any of you know that you had a cyst? i'm trying to get pregnant but i think i might have a cyst on my left side. it sounds like i should get it checked out before getting pregnant yes?..........m

[3boys1?]

I am currently pregnant with my 4 child. I have 3 boys and this is my last pregnancy. I just found out today that I have a 12cm cyst that is sitting behind my uterus. My doctor advised for me to have it removed, he said that there is a less than 10 percent chance that it will effect my baby... I have been scared and really upset all day..until I viewed this page. I recalled that I had a friend that went through the same thing and her son came healthy, so I say to myself and to the others out there, all we can do is pray and leave it in Gods hands. I hope and pray that my baby is born healthy and survives this "cyst" as well as you others going through the same thing. God Bless You.

[lak82]

Hi, thanks for sharing your story about your experience with your cyst.  I was just wondering how it went undetected throughout yoour whole pregnancy being so large? After speaking with the specialist he wants me to have the cyst out. I asked him about having it removed during a c-section like you did (eventhough i know you didn't actually know it was there) but he said it would be difficult due to the size of the cyst compared to the size of the c-section incision. I just wanted your thought on that seeing you said your cyst was quite large-the size of a soft ball yet your Dr managed to removed it through your c-section incision?

Thanks mate

Leicha

[trimbach11]

sorry to hear about ur cyst and not to alarm you or anything but my g/f found out 2 years ago she had one and they doctor waited to long and now it turned into terminal cancer and it doesn't look good for her. only reason i am saying this is cause i don't want it to happ to you other girls. don't mess around w/ it get it taken care of.

[hansenjna]

I hit post comment before I finished my novel...

I hope everything works out positive for you and your baby.  I'll try to post the outcome of my surgery when I get home.

Best wishes to all!

[hansenjna]

I am in a very similar situation and can relate.  I am 13 weeks pregnant and found out around 7 weeks that I have a mass (7cm x 13cm) they believe to be on my right ovary. At my 7 week appt. my dr. sent me to the perinatal clinic to have an ultrasound.  They have been monitoring the cyst and baby for the 6 weeks.  I was advised by the dr. at the perinatal clinic that I most likely wouldn't have to have the cyst removed until I gave birth via c-section,unless the mass continued to grow rapidly.  At my monthly dr. appt last week my dr. decided to send me to an oncologist to take a look at it.  I went last Thursday to see the oncologist and he was freaked out by the size and said that he wanted it out.  All three dr.'s said that they were quite sure that it was a demoid (sp?) mass and most likely nothing cancerous but they will do tests after surgery. The mass according the the oncologist is "cysty and solid" so they won't be taking it out laproscopically but will have to make a vertical incision. I think he called the procedue "oophe???rectomy. The Oncologist is an older man who has been the director of the womens' cancer center here for over 12 years, so I trust his judgement, but the way he spoke to me about the surgery's effect on the baby freaked me out.  He made sure to tell me twice that there is a chance I will lose the baby and proceded to ask me "would you rather lose it now or run into problems later in the pregnany and lose it at 30 weeks?  He then told me "my wife lost a baby when she was pregnant and she seemed to recover fine".  I was blown away.  I left that clinic feeling like I was definitley losing this baby no matter what.  I cried my eyes out the entire day!  
Thankfully, I had a perinatal appt. the next day and my dr. there is the sweetest lady who explained eveything to me and advised me not to be stressed or worried.  She said that one of the main reasons they wanted it out now was because of the possibility of the cyst twisting and cutting off blood circulation.  She said there is always a risk to the baby, but that pregnant women have surgery's all the time and the baby comes out fine.  I felt so much better but I am still scared and preparing for the worst.  My obgyn will be assisting the surgery so I feel good about that.  My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday the 19th.  I'm so glad I found this site.  I started feeling like I was the only one pregnant with a mass.

[mom2maddie325]

I had a laparotomy done at 16 weeks (it was discovered during a 10 week ultrasound as well) to remove a 20 cm simple cyst from my left ovary. I am now 30 weeks pregnant with the same beautiful baby boy and I am doing great. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. I healed pretty quick and I have a 3 yr old at home so I guess I had no choice. Anyway yes there is a risk of miscarriage, but it is a very small risk. The baby will be fine and the anesthsia/morphine drip for pain are all safe for the baby. I was back at work after 4 weeks. I do have to say that I think that b/c of the surgery, I am more run down now then during my first pregnancy but that could be b/c I have a toddler now as well. Get the surgery....why risk having serious health problems and pregnancy complications due to the cyst? I felt soooo much better after having it removed.
Good luck and if you need to talk or have any questions, please email me at jessica.***@****. I have been there very recently so if you need anything, I'd love to help.

[lak82]

To you all, thank you so much for your kind words, prayers and thoughts. As horrible and awful the situation it is reassuring to hear other people have had similar experiences, that mother and baby are fine. That's what we all wish for, that's all I wanted-first pregnancy to go smoothly, first baby to be healthy. I guess it doesn't always happen like that. As a nurse I tell people everyday: God only gives us what we can handle-well I don't think he is listening to ME! I spoke to my DR today and he has referred me to a specialist. Hopefully I should have an appointment with him towards the end of this week, beginning of the next. In the mean time I will try to stay positive (very hard when the glass is always half empty)and NOT STRESS (including not hysterically crying for the entire weekend)which I think was the best advice from you all, which is the only thing I seem to have been doing-STRESSING! It's just so hard not to think/worry about. From info I have read and recieved if I do decided on the operation I believe I will have to undergo a laparotomy due to the size of my cyst.  I am leaning towards the c-section for the baby and cyst idea if possible. I guess I just have to wait and talk to the specialist.  In the meantime, thanks again to all and I'll keep you posted.  Ta.

Leicha

[hubba617]

aww, my thoughts are with you as i too understand what you are going thru. when i was pregnant w/my daughter (who is now 14 months) i had to go in for an appendectemy. they did that at 14 1/2 weeks as that truely is the safest time to undergo surgery while pregnant. the risks are higher for the chance of m/c in the first trimester and also more risks w/having in the 3rd for dealing w/surgery. it was great though, labor/delivery came down several times for me while i was in the hospital to get a heartbeat. boy just hearing that little thumping made me smile so much the pain seemed to just melt away.


best wishes to you. let us know how it goes.
donielle

[LandLsMom]

My heart goes out to you, and my prayers will be with you, but stay positive!  My cyst went undetected and was a complete surprise at the time of my c-section.  It was very large. ("Much larger than a softball", according to my husband who actually saw it).  Our baby was as healthy as could be, and still is at 1 1/2.  In my personal opinion, stress can do more damage than just about anything, so as difficult as it is, try to keep some sense of peace.  One of the best ways to do this is to have confiedence in your dr., if you don't, don't be afraid to change or just get a second opinion.

[shazzybow]

hi sorry to hear your news, i can relate to you as the same thing happened to me when i was 27.please try not too worry this is the worst bit (the waiting before the surgery).i had a dermoid cyst picked up at ultra sound at 10 weeks just like you . it was grapefruit sized and i remember thinking all sorts of dreadful things, i thought the end of the world had happened!i had the cyst and my ovary removed about 3 days after the u/s . i continued with a normal pregnancy and had my daughter at 37 weeks and it was a normal birth. just to add to this i thought id have difficulty conceiving for my next pregnancy but it happened straight away and i had twins!its easy for me to say this but the best advice i can give is too think positively and try and relax. rest as much as possible. my doc told me that dermoid cysts are fairly common in pregnancy and everyone i know who has had one has had no miscarrige problems.good luck, sharon

[laney1974]

My cyst was first noticed during my pgcy too (my son is now almost 11wks old), can't help too much though as they didn't want to touch it whilst I was pg and just kept an eye on it, mine is a simple cyst which is different from yours and was smaller (8cm when first noticed, now 12.41cm)
You might also want to ask on pregnancy forums if anyone has had this and how it was treated, if it was removed, the outcome etc etc....Go in armed with as much info as you can for your next appointment.
Good luck.

[Anna-maria74]

First of all I am so sorry for what you are going through, what an awfull shock.

I honestly do not think cancer is an issue here but then I guess thats not on the top of your list of worries anyway. I know plenty of woman who have had cysts removed during pregnancy and as yet I do not know of any who lost the baby in the process. I know it is common practice to leave it until the second trimester to reduce this risk. I have not been through it myself and hopefully someone will be along to give you some more specific advice!

Anna x