I’ve been meaning to blog about this since I had Brady last year but apparently haven’t gotten around to it. There’s no way that my life as a pregnant woman and as a mother could be documented correctly without mentioning this sort of huge discovery.
When I was laying on the operating room table getting pieced back together the Dr says to me, “Well! Wanna know something interesting about yourself?” Umm, ok, sure. She tells me that I have a unicornuate uternus which now explains to her why Brady was breech and was early… and why every other pregnancy I have will be the same. Later that day she drew this picture on the board in my room:
In her simple explanation that I understood still on large amounts of drugs, was that it’s an odd shaped uterus and only one connecting fallopian tube. This is something I was born with.
I really didn’t care much (but it did give me a little insight on why it took so long to get pregnant, hello, one fallopian tube) until yesterday when I started researching it.
I had no clue the severity of this abnormality. Here is a quick explanation of what it means:
A unicornuate uterus is half the size of a normal uterus and there is only one fallopian tube. Because of its shape, it is described as a uterus with one horn. It is a very rare abnormality. It develops in the earliest stages of life, when the tissue that forms the uterus does not grow properly. If you have a unicornuate uterus, you probably have two ovaries. Only one will be connected to your uterus, though.
My uterus is even more rare in that I have a second “horn” that doesn’t “communicate”. You are able to get pregnant, obvi, but you are doomed for complications like: spontaneous abortion, premature labor, ectopic pregnancies and breech positioned babies. This totally scares me and makes me insanely thankful for that little boy napping in the other room. Not that I wasn’t already. He just may be our little miracle baby.
The other fascinating discovery I found was the reason for such awful period pain I experience. When I went into labor with Brady I never felt a single contraction even though I was contracting and was dilated to 5cm and almost completely effaced. I’ve said over and over this last year that I just can’t understand why the same exact muscle that contracts in labor and during my period would only cause pain during the latter. My period cramps are AWFUL, always have been. I sit in a ball for hours with a heating pad and a bottle of Motrin. Oh but the lovely Internet solved the mystery:
A unicornuate uterus can be asymptomatic. However, women with a functioning non-communicating horn may experience pain during periods, because there is no outlet for the menstrual fluid.
That just sounds painful.
Even though we and I haven’t decided if we will have another baby or not, this makes me think maybe we shouldn’t. Maybe we got lucky this time and maybe the next time will be even harder, maybe we’d end up loosing a baby. Or two babies. Maybe I’d have an ectopic pregnancy and what if something happened to me?
I’ve pretty much been ignorant this past year because I haven’t done any research and my Dr didn’t explain it very well. Now I’m feeling totally freaked out. But also, incredibly, overwhelmingly, lucky.
Read more about this condition here.
*Quick update! We DID have another baby. 🙂 In 2012 I had a premie little girl who is now five and absolute perfection. I had a rough pregnancy with her which you can read about here. After that I had my tube tied*
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Cheryl says
Wow girl! That’s sad! 🙁
beka says
Holy cow! Seems like something that would have been noticed before now – I imagine it’s pretty scary to find all this out AFTER the fact. So glad that your little man navigated it so well. That is definitely a big deal to consider as you guys move forward – maybe your doctor can tell you more about it, and how severe your particular instance is… good luck!
Sher says
I know I don’t get a vote and I understand what a big decision this is. But my sincere hope is that you don’t try and have more children. I can’t imagine what Brady (or me or Guy) would do if something happened to you.
Holly says
The exact same thing happened to me. My baby boy was breech and when they went to take him out via Csection, they noticed that I had a unicornate uterus. My doctor called him her little “miracle” baby and that’s exactly how I felt too. Until I researched it and freaked out when I realized how messed up this is. It explains the horrifying periods, the sometimes painful sex. It still keeps me up at night thinking about all the horrors that could and can happened with my body.
Nadia says
I too have a unicorn uterus and am 37 weeks pregnant con Thursday! I was diagnosed before we started looking for a baby. Got totally freaked out! But I was not that lucky like you, I had to through IVF, and thank God, it worked with my first cycle! I still can’t believe it, and my pregnancy was just perfect with no complications! But,yes, she is in a breech position! My OB says to wait till labor come on its own!
So that’s my story! Best pregnancy ever!
Don’t loose hope, each body works differently!
Maria says
My husband and I have been trying for a almost a year and we have just found out that I may have a unicornuate uterus. I am therefore scheduled for a surgery next week to assess it further. I have not received a lot of information from my doctor so I am just doing a lot of searching on internet now. Very glad to hear that it has gone well for all of you.
@ Nadia, how are you now?
lots of love
Amber Osborne says
I have a unicornate uterus and had 2 successful pregnancies full term and both vaginal births with no complications. I did have in between those pregnancies a miscarriage at 11 weeks. I also have endometriosis and my husband carries an antigen that I build antibodies against. You never know what blessings will come. I hope this gives you hope for a brighter outlook. Oh and my first baby was 8 lbs 3oz and 22 1/4 inches and my second 7lbs 10 oz and 21 1/2 inches. The uterus is pretty amazing.
Tara says
I’ve just been diagnosed with UU , I have an 18onth old son and experiences a miscarriage and now Ttc for almost a year . I was wondering if you experienced contractions with your delivery’s ? Having my son my water broke, but I never got strong contractions. Wondering if it’s related .
Mary says
Today my husband and I went in another test to explain why no pregnancies in 19 months of vigorously trying… And low and behold. I’ve joined the Unicorn club.
I’ve been doing research, of course, and stumbled across your blog. thank you for sharing this. I understand I have to accept that achieving a pregnancy may never be in my future, it brings me so much hope knowing it HAS happened with this condition.
Elizabeth says
I also have a unicorn and was diagnosed when I had surgery for a large cyst a couple years ago. Prior to my diAgnosis, I lost a baby at 5 months along. My doc says now I need progesterone treatments and bed rest throughout Any pregnancy that I have in the future.
Elizabeth says
I almost wish I knew others with this condition. It almost makes you feel less of a woman sometimes knowing that you may never be able to carry a child to full term because of this Anatoly.
Megan says
Hi, I just found your blog. I was also just diagnosed with this….I also have the second horn. I had 2 early miscarriages prior to my now 2 month old boy. I had difficulties with my 3rd pregancy. He ended up a breech baby and I had a scheduled c-section. As the Dr. was in there, after my boy was born, she told me there was something to tell me about my uterus. At first she thought I had 2, but after and MRI We had the new diagnosis. My husband and I feel that our baby boy is a our miracle. We will have to really think about wether we want to emotionally prepare ourselves to try for another in a couple years.
Cassie says
I was just googling unicornuate uterus and came across your blog. I was diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus with one functioning Fallopian tube 7 months ago when I was having a cesarean and tubal ligation..
This is my succes story! I was put on the pill at the age of 16 due to extremely painful periods etc, it’s only when I went to get my dating scan with my first pregnancy that doctors discovered that I had a bicornuate uterus (wrong!)
I carried her to 38 weeks and gave birth naturally ? had to also push through a vaginal septum, have a quick stitch up to stop the bleeding and reconstructive surgery 6 months later!
Baby number 2 & 3 were breech, so planned cesareans.
Baby number 4 was head down but as I’d had 2 previous cesereans, I was booked in for another, this time I chose to get a tubal.. Doctors delivered my bubs and started with my next op. They clamped one tube and went looking for the other, took my whole uterus out while looking and that is when they finally discovered my UNICORNUATE UTERUS! They took photos and put it back. I now know what I have and they told me I’ve been extremely lucky to have 4 healthy baby girls!
Cassie says
I should also say that I also have a second smaller horn, doctor thought I may be having twins as he could see something on the ultrasound. A lot of doctors don’t seem to know too much about uterine anomalies…
Erica says
Hi, I also have a Unicornuate Uterus, I was not told until my last child, I was very upset they did not tell me. But i’m blessed, I have 3 Beautiful children. My oldest 15 with the most complications was 2 months early, that is when I found out I had 1 kidney, maybe the Dr did not want to add more stress, who knows… My second Child now 8 was 1 month Early and Breach, and My Daughter now 5 was 3 weeks early and Breach. I wish I would have known, it would have explained a lot.
Megan says
Hi there! I just found this blog and it hits home with me. This is the same way I found out I have this condition….while she was stiching me back together. At first she thought I had 2 uteruses…however after an MRI and ultrasound she found that I have Unicornate uterus with the rudimentary horn. I had 2 unexplained miscarriages before my son, which I now understand what caused them. We would love to have another baby but with all that we already went through and all the risks involved we just aren’t sure it’s worth another loss! We love our miricale baby boy…who turns 2 in just a couple weeks. It’s nice to hear other’s stories… especially since it is such a rare condition!
Megan says
Haha..wow, I must be running on little sleep. I commented on this post when my son was just 3 months old…I completely forgot that I already read it! I’ve pinned your article now!
Susan says
Thank you for sharing your story. I was just diagnosed with UU through a HSG test, after my partner and I have been trying to conceive for a year with our first child. Obviously, I am sad and scared, but it does feel hopeful knowing that others have been successful with the same condition.
Jaime says
I have a unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating tube as well. I learned this in my 20’s when I was having a lot of pain and my gyno decided to do an MRI. I was warned that getting pregnant would be very difficult, and the chances of delivering a full-time baby were slim to none. However, my husband and I get pregnant within only 3 months of trying. Knowing my unique situation, I was referred to maternal fetal care immediately as it was automatically a high risk pregnancy. Baby was breech, and after 30 weeks I had to go for weekly ultrasounds. We beat the odds and delivered a full term baby girl in 2016 at 38 weeks, by c-section. We had discussed having more children, but I asked my OB while she was sewing up my uterus if she thought it could withstand another pregnancy (as there had been complications with mine). She recommended that we not risk it as she felt there would be pregnancy loss, or my uterus could rupture, so I asked for tubal ligation right then and there. She put a clip on my functioning tube, and removed the non-communicating tube altogether. We are happy with our decision, and we have a perfectly healthy baby girl that we are thankful everyday for.
Brenda says
I enjoyed reading your story. I to have a unicorniate uterus and will be 25 weeks pregnant this Sunday. It took us about 12 years to conceive! I am still so nervous even though everything is going good! And like you, my periods are horrific!
Ann says
I found out that I had a UU 15 years ago when my son was born at 34 weeks via c-section (breech). I went on to have my daughter 2 years later (c-section at 34 weeks as well, but not because of UU, but because I developed pre-eclampsia and HELLPS). I do have 2 kidneys (many with UU do not), but one of them is not in the right place. Lol. Oftentimes with UU, a second pregnancy will actually be less risky than the first because you will be very closely monitored, a cerclage can be put in place, and your uterus will have stretched from the first pregnancy so you will likely carry longer.
Tara says
I’ve just been diagnosed with UU , I have an 18onth old son and experiences a miscarriage and now Ttc for almost a year . I was wondering if you experienced contractions with your delivery’s ? Having my son my water broke, but I never got strong contractions. Wondering if it’s related .
Chrissie says
Just wanted to post to encourage new Moms!
My daughter in law delivered successfully a 7 lb boy at full term but he was breach so they had a c section four years ago.. This was when they discovered she had UU.
Since then they had a miscarriage at 8 weeks , but last month delivered a second healthy full term boy! She has also been told that she has one kidney.
She has has experienced high blood pressure after both deliveries, but with medications this has been controlled. Both boys are healthy and so is Mom!
C2haggard says
I found out I had a unicornuate uterus in the operation room with my second child.
We got to 30 weeks with my son (first child) then 36weeks with my daughter. Now I am at 38 1/2 weeks with our third and we are still waiting for me to go into labor. It’s a crazy life! It’s amazing what your body can do when you don’t tell it not to.
Tara says
I’ve just been diagnosed with UU , I have an 18onth old son and experiences a miscarriage and now Ttc for almost a year . I was wondering if you experienced contractions with your delivery’s ? Having my son my water broke, but I never got strong contractions. Wondering if it’s related .
Sheena says
Hi
I have pretty much the same as you there only we had 7 misscarages and an ectopic pregnancy loosing my one and only working tube 😦 I did try one last time though ivf and to my absolute surprise and delight it worked 😊
I was given a 15% chance of it even working or falling at all.
I also have cists all over my ovaries witch made things even harder for the ivf people to deal with. Not to mention there is scare tissue on the left one from the dramatic ectopic surgery I went tho.
But it worked I have a little boy almost 2 now and each and every day I count my lucky stars for him my god what a mirical he is 😉
My first born daughter I had no idea about this even exsisting she was early and tiny, I went into labour not even know I was in it, by the time I got from home into town to the doctors they were really surprised I didn’t just go straight to the hospital but like you my periods were always intense and horrible so it didn’t seem like it was labour at that point. I got to the hospital 9 cm dilated but she was breach so it was a huge rushed c-section. The cord was around her neck and it was like under her bum so even if I was to ouch it would have put her life in danger.
She is my earth Angle day in day out I thank god for her aswell. There is 12 years between my baby’s but I think it may have been meant to be this way she adores him, and he just thinks she is the best thing on this planet hahahah
Thanks for your blog I was really surprise to find it 😊
Xxxxx
Hilary says
Hi Liz! I am glad I found your blog. I have a similar thing as you, but mine was discovered when I was younger as the non communicating horn was causing me a lot of pain and I had surgery to remove the horn, leaving me with a UU. I am now 35 weeks pregnant (after a lot of struggle to get there). I am just praying for a safe delivery. I will be so relieved when my baby is in my arms.
Grace says
I was diagnosed with unicornuate uterus, endometriosis, and PCOS. It’s always encouraging to read about other people’s journey and know I’m not alone. Thank you for sharing your story.
Emma says
I started to read this story and thought “wow that’s exactly what happened to me” Had painful periods all my life. Got pregnant at 26 very quickly I might add so that was good. Had an uneventful pregnancy, opted for a c-section and glad I did because when the Obgyn cut me open he said same thing yours said “ Now we know why the baby was always in the frank breach position” He took some photos of my uterus lol. So it was good to know why I have a problem with my periods, not that I am in agony but mine are more aching for maybe a week before I’m due. Makes me feel really lethargic. 🙂 Thanks for your post it was nice to know I am not alone.
Jenna says
I know this post is from 2011 but this exact same thing happened to me and were trying for a second. I’d love to talk to you !!!!!!!
Diana says
Hi, As i was reading your article i started to cry remembering our journey with my past pregnancies, ive had a few miscarriges after trying and trying we finally made it out with a baby girl, and exactly how your doctor informed you they informed me too after having to held my little blessing i looked up “unicorn uterus “ and thats how i fiund out why i had had the miscarrages in the first place . It was very overwhelming to having to process that you were in fact the problem and that “we should just stop at one baby” bc not only can you loose the baby but your life can be on the line. I just wanted to say that iloved your article its definetly something i relate and alot other women relate. You gave me a little piece of hope knowing you had another miracle !
Tammie Baker says
I have only found out I have a uu at 41 years old after having an ablation and iud insertion. I have had 3 children successfully. I had no idea I had this condition i have also found out i only have 1 kidney too. Just wanted to give women hope that you can have successful pregnancies.
Thomas says
I know this is an old post, but hoping to instill hope. My wife has a unicornuate uterus, and we basically accepted we would need IVF if we wanted a chance for pregnancy. Well, after 8 years of being together, we were surprised and blessed with a natural pregnancy without doing IVF. I thought she would go into labor prematurely and have restriction issues, but the pregnancy went well and she made it 2 days shy of 40 weeks with an uncomplicated pregnancy, head down, vaginal delivery. She just gave birth to a healthy 6.5 lb baby boy and we are truly blessed. So I hope this gives you hope that even with a unicornuate uterus, things can still work!
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