Planning a pregnancy is exciting, but being told you have uterine fibroids can add uncertainty at a time when you’re hoping for clarity. Many women worry about how fibroids might affect their ability to conceive or carry a healthy pregnancy. The reassuring news is that, with the right care, countless women in Melbourne go on to successfully conceive and give birth after appropriate fibroid treatment tailored to their individual needs.
This guide explores how fibroids can influence fertility, when treatment or removal may be recommended, and the options available locally, including when it may be helpful to consult a Fibroid removal specialist in Melbourne. It also outlines how to choose the most suitable treatment pathway if your goal is to grow your family.
What are fibroids and do they always affect fertility?
Fibroids (also called uterine leiomyomas) are common, non-cancerous growths of the uterus. Plenty of women have fibroids and never know it. Others experience heavy periods, pelvic pressure, pain, or fertility problems.
Whether fibroids affect pregnancy depends less on how many you have and more on:
- Where they are located (inside the cavity, within the uterine wall, or on the outside surface)
- Their size
- Whether they distort the uterine cavity
- Your symptoms and history (miscarriage, infertility, IVF outcomes)
Submucosal fibroids (those that grow into the uterine cavity) are the most strongly linked to reduced fertility and miscarriage risk. Intramural fibroids (within the wall) may also affect fertility if they’re large or alter the cavity. Subserosal fibroids (on the outer surface) usually have less impact on conception, though they can cause discomfort or growth during pregnancy.
Signs you may need fibroid treatment before pregnancy
Not everyone needs fibroid removal before trying to conceive. But it’s worth seeing a Melbourne fertility specialist or gynaecologist with fertility experience if you have:
- Difficulty conceiving for 6–12 months (depending on age)
- A history of miscarriage or implantation failure
- Heavy bleeding causing low iron (anaemia)
- Pelvic pain, pressure, urinary frequency, or bowel symptoms
- A scan showing fibroids that distort the uterine cavity
- Planned IVF with fibroids that may reduce success rates
A proper work-up often includes a pelvic ultrasound, and sometimes a sonohysterogram (saline ultrasound), hysteroscopy, or MRI, especially if surgery is being considered.
Fibroid removal options in Melbourne (fertility-focused)
The “best” option depends on your fibroids and your pregnancy timeline. Here are the common approaches:
Hysteroscopic myomectomy (removal via the cervix)
If fibroids are inside the uterine cavity (submucosal), they can often be removed without external incisions using a small camera inserted through the cervix.
Why it’s popular for pregnancy planning:
- No cuts on the abdomen
- Often quicker recovery
- Directly improves the uterine cavity environment for implantation
Typical downtime: Many women return to normal activities within a few days, though your doctor may advise waiting before trying to conceive.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) myomectomy
For fibroids in the uterine wall or on the outside, a laparoscopic myomectomy uses small incisions in the abdomen to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus.
Benefits:
- Smaller scars
- Shorter hospital stay than open surgery
- Often suitable for women trying to maintain fertility
This option is common in Melbourne private hospitals and some public settings, depending on clinical need and waitlists.
Open (abdominal) myomectomy
For very large fibroids, multiple fibroids, or complex cases, an open approach may be recommended.
This isn’t “worse”—it’s just different. In some cases, it’s the safest way to remove fibroids thoroughly and repair the uterus strongly for future pregnancy.
How long should you wait to try for a baby after fibroid removal?
This varies based on the procedure and how deeply the fibroids were embedded.
- After hysteroscopic removal, the wait is often shorter.
- After laparoscopic or open myomectomy, doctors commonly recommend waiting a few months to allow the uterine muscle to heal properly.
Your specialist will guide you based on surgical findings and the repair required. If you’re considering IVF, your clinic may coordinate timing to optimise outcomes.
Will you need a Caesarean after a myomectomy?
Sometimes. If the uterine wall is cut deeply, some obstetricians recommend an elective caesarean for safety. If fibroids were removed from certain locations or the cavity wasn’t entered, vaginal birth may still be possible. The key is to keep clear surgical records and discuss birth planning early with your obstetric team in Melbourne.
Choosing a Melbourne specialist: what to look for
When fertility is the priority, experience matters. Look for a gynaecologist or fertility specialist who regularly manages fibroids in women trying to conceive, and who can offer:
- A clear explanation of whether your fibroids actually need removal
- Multiple treatment options (not a one-size-fits-all plan)
- Coordination with IVF or fertility care if needed
- Guidance on timing, recovery, and pregnancy monitoring
When booking a consult, ask whether they perform fertility-sparing myomectomy and whether they offer minimally invasive surgery where appropriate.
The takeaway
If you’re planning a pregnancy in Melbourne and fibroids are part of your story, you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. The right assessment can clarify whether fibroid removal is likely to improve fertility or reduce pregnancy risks. With modern surgical approaches like hysteroscopic and laparoscopic myomectomy, many women go on to conceive naturally or with IVF.
If you’re ready to plan next steps, start with a fertility-focused evaluation and a scan review. The goal isn’t just removing fibroids, it’s creating the safest, healthiest path to pregnancy.
