QuestionI am a 36 yr. old in my 10th week of pregency. I was told last week by my ob/gyn that my uterus is flipped. I am not in pain but I am having some discomfort. He tells me it will flip back on its own, but what happens if it does not? Will this problem effect my baby and what can be done for the discomfort?
Lainie
AnswerDear Lainie,
This is commonly referred to as a "tipped uterus" or retroverted uterus. It can be something that you are born with or it can occur with pregnancy when the uterus becomes enlarged and the ligaments that hold the uterus in place become weakened. And, yes, normally as the pregnancy progresses the uterus will slip back into place.
The most common discomfort is lower back pain, especially with intercourse. One treatment for this is doing knee-to-chest exercises, which can help to encourage the uterus to temporarily slip back into its proper place. Another treatment is a pessary, which is a plastic device that is worn inside of the vagina. It helps to support the uterus in the proper position. However, these devices can only be worn in the short term because of the risk for developing a vaginal infection. Finally, surgical treatment is known as the UPLIFT procedure, this procedure works to reposition the uterus by cutting and shortening the ligaments that support it. Personally, I have not heard of this procedure being done during pregnancy. As I said, usually between the 10th -12th week of pregnancy, your uterus will no longer be tipped or "backwards". This should cause no difficulty for the pregnancy or for labor and birth.
I hope this information has helped you and answered your questions. I wish you well!
Brenda
