Getting pregnant with a retroverted uterus: risks and consequences

Getting pregnant with a retroverted uterus

The retroverted uterus is a particular condition of the uterus that generally does not cause fertility problems and does not manifest itself with particular symptoms. In most cases, the woman only discovers that she has a retroflexed uterus during a regular follow-up ultrasound or when she is trying to become pregnant. But you can getting pregnant with the uterus retroflexed and what are the risks?

In this article

• What is the retroflex uterus
• Symptoms
• Can you get pregnant?
• Retroverted uterus in pregnancy and sexual intercourse
• Retroverted Uterus: Risky Pregnancy?

What is the retroflex uterus

Normally the uterus is positioned between the rectum and the bladder slightly below the pubic bone. Its shape is similar to that of an inverted pear with a rounded neck and body and, if there is no pregnancy in progress, the uterus is folded against the bladder. The retroflexed (or retroverted) uterus, on the other hand, folds back and leans lightly on the intestine.

Symptoms

As we said, many women have no particular symptoms and only discover that they have a retroflexed uterus during a normal control ultrasound. In some cases they may occur:

• Menses more painful often associated with headaches;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• a feeling of pressure on the bladder, and sometimes a increased frequency of urination;
• intestinal and bladder disorders (such as constipation and cystitis).

Can you get pregnant?

By itself, a retroverted uterus does not affect fertility and still allows you to get pregnant naturally. On the other hand, it can become a problem when it is associated with other diseases, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease, which may be the cause of the retroverted uterus.

Read also: Bicornuate uterus

Retroverted uterus in pregnancy and sexual intercourse

Having a retroverted uterus does not usually interfere with sexual pleasure, not even in pregnancy, however in some cases it can feel pain, especially in certain positions. To reduce the discomfort you can try to change your position.

Any bleeding or persistent pain should be reported to your doctor.

Retroverted Uterus: Risky Pregnancy?

The retroverted uterus usually has no negative effect on the good course of pregnancy. However, sometimes some problems may arise such as:

• a particular pressure on the bladder during the first trimester which can cause difficulty urinating, mild incontinence;
• backache, the uterus puts pressure on the spine, but it must also be said that back pain is a very frequent ailment in pregnancy, even in women with an anteverted uterus;
• Also during the first trimester, the retroverted uterus may be more difficult to obtain an image of the uterus during routine checkups and therefore a transvaginal ultrasound may be more indicated.

As for the possible complications it must be said that generally the uterus, as it expands, tends to straighten losing its backward inclination (this usually happens around the 12th - 14th week). If this does not happen - for example due to adhesions that keep him anchored in the wrong position - it could increase the risk of miscarriage. Early diagnosis with proper treatment can be effective in eliminating the problem.

And the birth?

Having a retroverted uterus will most likely have no effect on labor and delivery, although according to some theories, you are more likely to have the so-called "back labor".

After delivery, the uterus may return to its retroverted position or may settle into another position.

References

• Mayo Clinic
• Better Health Channel