Pregnancy and Fibroids? 6 Facts Black Women Need To Know

About 80 percent of Black women will develop fibroids within their lifetime. We are two to three times more likely than our white counterparts to be diagnosed with fibroids. The reasons for the increased risk in Black women are not well understood, but some data suggest that low vitamin D levels (a deficiency common in Black people) and obesity (with Black women having higher rates) can increase the likelihood of developing fibroids. Pregnancy and Fibroids Fibroids can cause many disabling problems, especially during pregnancy. They may increase the risk of: Premature labor Placenta previa Repeat miscarriages Postpartum hemorrhage Abnormal presentation of the fetus Rarely, interference with the movement of the fetus through the vagina during labor It may seem scary, but there is support for Black women dealing with fibroids.  For those of us dealing with them during pregnancy, here are 6 facts you need to know: 1. It’s Possible To Have A Normal Pregnancy In some cases, the risk of fibroids during pregnancy is higher and can cause complications depending on where the fibroids are located and how big they are. However, most women who have fibroids go on to have normal pregnancies and even successful vaginal deliveries. READ: ...