I Had Two Tumors and a Baby—Here’s What You Should Know About Fibroids and Pregnancy

When I was pregnant, I wasn’t just growing one tiny human—I was also growing two fibroids. Yep, surprise! Alongside the little kicks and growing belly came two unwelcome guests that made themselves very much at home on the outside of my uterus. The larger of the two was about 3 cm—roughly the size of a golf ball—and for a while, we actually thought it was the baby’s foot or elbow. It would poke out at times, and we’d marvel at what we thought was our baby stretching. Turns out… not quite.

Luckily for me, my fibroids didn’t cause any pain and posed no risk to my baby because of their position (outside the uterus). But that’s not the case for everyone. One of my friends also developed fibroids during her pregnancy, and she was in so much pain she could barely walk. It was scary, unpredictable, and took weeks to ease up.

So let’s talk about what fibroids actually are, what to expect if you have them during pregnancy, and why they’re especially common for women of color and those of us who are having babies a little later in life.

What Are Fibroids, Anyway?

Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas or myomas) are noncancerous growths made up of muscle and fibrous tissue that grow in and around the uterus. They can vary dramatically in size—from as small as a seed to as large as a grapefruit—and you can have just one or many at a time.

Types of fibroids include:

• Intramural: grow within the uterine wall

• Subserosal: grow on the outside of the uterus (like mine!)

• Submucosal: grow into the uterine cavity

• Pedunculated: grow on a stalk, like a mushroom

More detail on types and symptoms from Cleveland Clinic.

Why Do Fibroids Grow During Pregnancy?

In short: hormones.

Pregnancy causes a surge in estrogen and progesterone, both of which stimulate the uterine lining—and unfortunately, fibroids love those hormones too. According to the NIH, these hormones can cause fibroids to grow rapidly, especially in the first and second trimesters.

That’s exactly what happened to me. What started as small, barely noticeable bumps turned into firm, round protrusions you could see and feel on my belly.

How Common Are Fibroids?

Fibroids are extremely common in women of reproductive age. According to the Office on Women’s Health (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services):

• 70–80% of women will develop fibroids by age 50.

• Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop fibroids than white women, often earlier and with more severe symptoms.

• Advanced maternal age (typically age 35 and older) is another risk factor, per ACOG.

So if you’re a Black woman in your 30s or 40s and pregnant or trying to conceive, it’s worth being proactive with your doctor.

Risks and Symptoms of Fibroids During Pregnancy

While many women with fibroids have normal pregnancies (hi, that was me!), fibroids can come with some risks and complications.

During Pregnancy:

According to ACOG, potential complications include:

• Pain (especially if the fibroid grows rapidly or degenerates)

• Increased risk of miscarriage

• Placental abruption

• Preterm labor

• Breech presentation

• Fetal growth restriction (rare)

Outside of Pregnancy:

• Heavy or prolonged periods

• Pelvic pain or pressure

• Constipation

• Frequent urination

• Back or leg pain

• Difficulty conceiving (in some cases)

What Happens After Birth?

Some fibroids shrink naturally postpartum as hormone levels fall, while others stick around. The Cleveland Clinic notes that fibroid size and symptoms may lessen after pregnancy, but they rarely disappear entirely without treatment.

In my case they shrank; but my OB-GYN will continue to monitor them during annual visits, and as long as they remain asymptomatic, no intervention is needed.

Can Fibroids Be Removed?

Yes—though not during pregnancy, unless there’s a life-threatening complication. Here are common removal options, as explained by the Mayo Clinic:

• Myomectomy – Surgery to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus (common for women who want to conceive in the future).

• Hysterectomy – Complete removal of the uterus (a permanent solution).

• Uterine artery embolization – Blocks blood flow to fibroids to shrink them.

• MRI-guided focused ultrasound – Non-invasive destruction of fibroid tissue.

Living with Fibroids

If you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids, or suspect you might have them, the first thing to know is this: you are not alone. And you are not broken. Millions of women—especially Black women—live full, beautiful lives while managing fibroids.

Tips for navigating fibroids:

• Keep track of your symptoms

• Advocate for yourself in medical settings

• Ask your OB-GYN for extra monitoring during pregnancy

• Lean on community—friends, forums, or support groups

Final Thoughts

Growing a baby is hard enough without fibroids tagging along for the ride. But here’s the thing: your body is wise. Whether you’re managing fibroids, pregnancy, or both, you’re doing something amazing—and you deserve support, knowledge, and care.

I was lucky that mine were harmless. But even if you’re not so lucky, you can still have a healthy pregnancy and a beautiful birth. The key is awareness, preparation, and not being afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Got questions about fibroids or your own experience? Talk to your OBGYN and bring a list of all the questions you can possibly think of to give yourself the best chance at leaving your visit with a peace.

You're also welcome to leave a comment here. I'm super passionate about creating a safe space with this blog so let’s normalize talking about this and remove any shame or stigma around tough conversations. We all go through a lot bringing life into this world, and we deserve support along the way.