During your medical cycle, you will be asked to schedule and keep several appointments at a fertility clinic near your home. These appointments allow the IVF doctor to monitor your body’s response to fertility medicines and best prepare you for a successful embryo transfer at the end of your cycle.
These appointments generally consist of a blood draw and a transvaginal ultrasound. The blood draw is done to analyze the presence and concentration of hormones in your blood, and the transvaginal ultrasound will check the thickness and pattern of your uterine lining. Occasionally these ultrasounds may also discover an abnormality in your uterine lining. These abnormalities are most commonly additional fluid or the presence of polyps or fibroids.
Polyps- These are new growths found within the uterus that are also considered abnormal. Often they are connected to your uterine wall by either a flat or stalk-like connection. They can vary greatly in size.
Fibroids– Fibroids are abnormal growths occurring in the tissue of the uterus. These growths, often believed to be linked to the amount of estrogen in your blood, are considered non-cancerous tumors. These fibroids appear in varying sizes. Many studies find that fibroids are common, occurring in as many as 40% of women by age 40.
Both forms of growths can impact the probability of a successful IVF transfer. The growths are believed to potentially cause an embryo to fail to implant, or possibly cause problems later in the pregnancy. For this reason, if either a polyp or fibroid is detected during your monitoring process, it will likely be removed. In many cases, your case specialist can work with you to navigate the procedure, as this is something that would typically be covered financially by your legal agreement.
Fibroid and polyp formation is something that is generally unlinked to other illnesses, and is often believed to be linked to the estrogen in your system. While there are common risk factors, including early onset of menstrual cycles and adult obesity, the presence of fibroids or polyps in your uterus is not likely the result of anything you have done, or could have done differently.
If you do have to have a polyp or fibroid removed it will cause your journey to be delayed, typically by 1-3 months. We understand that the discovery of a uterine growth can be a stressful or scary thing, and that you may have additional questions or concerns. Know that Dr. Kim Bergman, Growing Generation’s Co-Owner and Psychologist, is available to talk with you about these concerns. Your nurse and IVF doctor can also speak with you about any medical questions you may have.
