What exactly is a Uterine Septum??

I was pretty shocked when I found out that I had a septate uterus(SU- septate uterus is just another name for a uterine septum). My RE told me he didn't have any brochures/pamphlets that would help explain what mullerian anomalies (abnormally shaped uterus) were. So the web became my friend. I began to research what a septate uterus was and I didn't find much on the internet. The most valuable information for me was to read blogs from women that are going through this same situation. I wanted to explain a little bit about my birth defect.

Most of the following information is from another woman's blog (I put in my own info.) because I think she explains really well what a septate uterus is:

When I was in utero (in my mom's belly!), something went wrong, not drastically wrong, I was still born with all fingers and toes. The funny thing is, I wouldn't discover this until the age of 29 during an ultrasound. In every female, ducts termed Mullerian ducts are present. These ducts go through a transformative process during gestation (in utero) in order to form the reproductive tract and organs. There are several different types of Mullerian Anomalies, or differences of the uterus. Mullerian Anomalies are pretty rare and present in about 1-3% of women. My Mullerian ducts ended up not fusing together totally, which resulted in me being born with a septum in my uterus. A septum is best defined as a piece of tissue with no blood flow (avascular). Septate uteri have either a sub-septum which stretches across the inside of the top of the uterus and comes downward (fundus) or a complete septum which stretches across the top and then all the way down the middle of the uterus to the cervix, where the birth canal begins. Mine is a complete septum which measures 5 cm.

Septate uteri are associated with a very high miscarriage rate. The miscarriage rate is 80%-90%. This is because the fetus either implants on the septum and quickly miscarries early because there are no blood vessels to sustain the pregnancy. Or, due to intrauterine growth restriction meaning that the baby simply grows out of room to grow or the placenta attaches to the septum. Normally, the uterus stretches like a balloon. When a septum is present, think of a balloon being attached to a piece of cardboard. Because the septum is fibrous and not stretchy, that part of the uterus cannot stretch to accommodate the growing baby as a normal uterus stretches.

That is why I have decided to have surgery to remove the septum.

Chad & I were talking last night about how we are so excited about this surgery. I am nervous but the excitement has overcome the fear. This is the first big step and many more to follow.

For right now our "children" are our dogs, Sam and Jackson. We love them SO very much. Jackson is the black lab and Sam is a doberman mix. We rescued Sam from a shelter about 4 years ago. I am a big advocate of adopting animals from shelters. There are so many pets that are up for adoption. Chad & I will forever adopt our dogs from shelters:)

My Story

Oh where do I start....October 2008 I was told by my gyno that I had a "abnormally shaped uterus" my world was turned upside down. I was devastated and so uneducated on what exactly a bicornuate uterus or a uterine septum was. I left my doctors office feeling lost....but when I got home and starting reading blogs from other women that are going through the same thing, I learned more from those women then I have from any of my doctors. I've been fortunate not having a m/c. My heart goes out to those women that have had to endure such pain. I am SO SORRY.

This is my story so far.......
Chad (my DH) & I decided it was finally time to start a family. I was so excited, this is what I have longed for. I have been with my DH for about 8 years (married 3) before we actually started ttc. Crazy isn't... I just always thought that it would be a piece of cake to get pregnant, since everyone around me was having babies left and right. We tried for a few months and I had been having some lower abdominal/pelvic pain. So I called my gyno and they squeezed me in for an apt. (the whole pelvic pain thing they don't take lightly). I didn't have an infection, but my dr. wanted me to get an ultrasound just to make sure everything was alright. I figured everything would be just fine. So I went in for my date with the "special wand". I knew that something was just not right when the ultrasound tech. asked me twice " So you have never had a ultrasound done before?" NO... after the ultrasound I waited to see my Dr. , as I sat in the waiting room I began to get scared. They called my name and it was my turn...to see Dr. G. She tells me that she doesn't know why I am having pelvic pain: "Your ovaries, tubes, and cervix look good...., But your uterus is "shaped abnormally". What does that mean??? She explains that I either have a bicornuate uterus (heart-shaped) or a uterine septum. It seems as if she doesn't know a lot about this. She draws me two different pictures of what my uterus may look like. My heart dropped to the floor. She started explaining all the risks involved with both. She stated that if it was a septum it should be surgically removed. I was referred to a Reproductive Endocrinologist(RE)...a fancy name for an infertility specialist. I can't even describe my feelings.

I finally had my new patient consult with my RE (Dr. D)about a month later. The first appointment was quick and I felt like I was shuffled out the door. But he is a good Dr. and the clinic has been rated one of the best infertility clinics in the U.S., so I had to put my feelings aside. We talked about why I was there (BU or SU) and he ordered more tests: blood work, another ultrasound, Chad's test and an HSG.

About a month later I went in for my HSG. I was very nervous just knowing that I should find out if I have a BU or SU and also if my tubes are open. I am not going to lie, it was pretty painful. Dr. D talked me through the whole procedure and I was glad when it was over.

That same week we went in for our reconsult.
The Results:
Fallopian tubes open ---(that's Great)
Chad's tests came out good
Blood work showed I'm NOT ovulating (not good)
Diagnosed with a septate uterus (SU)(uterine septum)

Dr. D. sat us down and we discussed the results. To make a long story short, I am going to have the surgery done to resect the septum via lap/hyst. It should be done within the next few weeks and we are praying for a successful outcome.

This is my journey:
I wanted to start my own blog to tell my story and hopefully it will help educate on mullerian anomalies. My dream is that this blog will turn into our child's journey through life.