[mom2b]

Hi I am wondering if people should share their experience with a uterine septum.

Following details would be really helpful:
1. Large or small septum, shape if any.
2. Was it removed surgically? any complications or was it a sweet success?
3. If septum was not removed, did you have a full term pregnancy or close to full term?

Thanks,
mom2b

[nikkitrent364]

I fear I will not be much help. However, I can say I am going through the same thing. Bu tI am just beginning my research as well and I have my fist doctor's appt on may 20. So far though. I got pregnant very easily Sept 2006, one month of trying. I went through with mild spotting at 7 wks and no other unusual problems. During my labor last June 07, I was 39 1/2 wks. my water had broke, and right after I have had 5 hrs. of pitocin, I got an epidural and they realized my son was breech. During my c-section, they said " oh, there's a septum, that's why he's breech". All they said at that time is at a later date we'll do some tests and see if I need surgery, but I had to wait till i was done nursing. I asked what size it was and all they said was, "it was significant in the fact that it affected your pregnancy" and "that it's maybe about a 1/3 of the size of my uterus (at the time of delivery)". So, I don't know much else yet other than my sister had some belly pains and got some tests done and an u/s determined she has 2 seperate endometrial horns and a double fundus, basically saying they believe she has a bicornuate uterus. There is a difference between that and a septate (just a septum, with now problems with the fundus.) I'm unsure what I have. My doctor has already ordered an HSG test to see what we're dealing with, but I am going in to see her first then doing this test. When I know more I can tell you.
As far as my research, it looks like there are study stating that after the resection surgery is done, pregnancy is possible and should be less risky of a preg., but this is just based off of my research on the internet. I also heard this surgery has a high success rate. I also read that this is a rare conditioin and there aren't alot of doctors with full knowledge of it.
How do you know you have a heart shaped septum? Did you have a HSG? Is it just a septum or a bicornuate uterus, which also has a septum?
Let me know if you hear anything else too, it doesnt seem like there's many of us out there. But, I will try to post updates as I learn more. Good Luck.

[mom2b]

nikkitrent364,

I appreciate your detailed response. Initially docs suspected a bicornuate uterus on a ultrasound, they said it is heart shaped. Radiologist said it is not bicornuate when I got HSG done. I recently got a lap done for endo and the doc said I have a septum. My research also concluded the same thing "resection has higher succes rates with full-term pregnancy". The surgeon said he didn't remove the septum as there is a chance of getting scar tissue. I have to check with my RE and see what he has to say

[Teagan873]

Hmm....I had hysteroscopy surgery in January to see if the fibroid I have on the top of my uterus was pushing on the lining (preventing the embryo from coming in at both sides). I was really nervous about it and asked my RE if I would end up with scar tissue if he "fixed it". He said that if he saw scar tissue he could take care of it and my uterus would be all "fresh and new" When he was performing the procedure he mentioned it looked like I had a small septum too so he smoothed it out (actually used a cauterizing roller). Between that and what I did naturally it seemed to work! I would ask your RE about removing scar tissue. I was a little skeptical when my RE said he could remove it, but then I figured...if he says he can do it then that takes care of my worries of scar tissue from my D&C (if I even had any).

I wish you all the best! Don't get discouraged...keep asking questions until you feel satisfied with the answers and results

[mom2b]

Thanks a bunch Teagan873, that was an inspiring story. I would prefer to file or remove the septum vs a pre-term baby. Even my online research said that scar tissue could be removed; I will check with my regular RE about the septum, and scar tissue. Probably the other surgeon is good w/ endometriosis only.

[BabySteps]

During my HSG it was determined that I had a bicornuate uterus with a septum. My RE said that is was not too severe but it was large enough that it would increase my chances of a miscarriage and possible problems if I got pregnant. He said that it was up to me whether or not I wanted to get an operation to fix it and if I wanted to go ahead and do ivf with my uterus the way it was I would need to sign a document that I was aware of the risks involved.

I immediately decided to have the operation. I would recommend it. I am so grateful that I got it done especially since I got pregnant with triplets. If I had not had it fixed my uterus would most likely reject the babies or I would have experienced severe complications.

If you do decide to have an operation to have the septum removed make sure it is done by a doctor who is experienced with this type of operation. If they cut through the uterus wall it can cause complications, longer healing, possible infection and a delay in your treatment cycle. I decided to have my RE do the operation. I was put out and it was quick and painless. I had some light bleeding afterwards and very light cramping but overall it was not that bad.

I was told that over time the area would develop scaring which may need to be removed, but I never had that problem, probably because we began my ivf cycle shortly afterwards. I had the operation on Sept 7 and my ET on Dec 22.

I am really happy that I had it removed. I have had a great pregnancy with no spotting or cramping and my cervix remains long and closed.

What is your RE's opinion? I wish you all the best!!

[mom2b]

Shelly, I appreciate you sharing your success story. My RE doesn't do laprascopy so, I had to choose another doc, he is supposed to be the best for endo. I am still waiting on the surgery reposrts to be sent to my RE, hopefully with some pics of septum and then discuss with my RE.

[gems]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the boards here so bare with me if I screw something up!

I was first diagnosed with bicornuate uterus via sonogram by my regular OBGYN.

Went to the RE and he said in 40 years of practice he had only seen one true bicornuate uterus and all the others were actually septate uterus.

Well I had my septum removed via hysteroscope on 4-4 of this year. The actual surgery wasn't bad at all. I had severe complications with the anesthesia though and was extremely nauseated for three days afterwards. Just spotted for a week. But then my "real" period didn't start for 45 days after the surgery and I had never did that before.

My septum was all the way to the top of my cervix but wasn't attached to my cervix. My RE said I have probably been getting pregnant and the baby was implanting there. And since the septums are very fibrous tissue with hardly any blood supply, the placenta couldn't form, so the baby basically slid off every time before I even tested positive on a pregnancy test.

Now that I am on my first "normal" cycle since my surgery, I am on day 15 and haven't ovulated yet per my clear blue fertility monitor (not the sticks- the little machine you can buy).

My RE doesn't want a follow up post op appointment until three months after the surgery. I wasn't real happy about this, but he doesn't want me to try to get pregnant atleast until then, to allow the endometrium lining to "form correctly" over the septum scar site to reduce adhesion risk.

I get a soon!