Impact of Uterine Fibroids on the Obstetric Performance of the Women; Complications and Pregnancy Outcome

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of uterine fibroids on pregnancy outcome. Design: A prospective comparative study. Setting: This study was carried out in the department of obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Willingdon Hospital Lahore from January 2008 - December 2010. Participants: The study group consisted of 100 pregnant women with uterine fibroids and control group comprised of 100 randomly selected pregnant women with a normal uterus. Main outcome measure: We compared age, parity, gestational age, pregnancy and labour complications, mode of delivery location of fibroid, need for blood transfusion, delivery blood loss, neonatal and maternal stay. Results: The majority of women in the two groups belonged to the age group between 25 to 35 years. Women in the study group were nulliparous than control (53% vs 27%). The complications of PROM, preterm labour, abruption, placentaprevia and retained placenta were not quite different in the two groups. Postpartum haemorrhage, estimated blood loss and need for blood transfusion were greater in the study group. The abortion rate was twice than in the controls (11% vs 5%). The rate of caesarean section was also higher among women with uterine fibroids (52% vs 32%). Patients delivering at more than 37 weeks gestation were almost similar in number with similar birth weight of babies in both groups. Conclusion: Although uterine fibroids are associated with and increased risk of abortions and caesarean section, the results of other pregnancy associated complications in our patients with uterine fibroids is encouraging.