Not putting off attempting to become pregnant and seeking surgical intervention are the best ways to become pregnant with endometriosis. Up to one-half of women who have endometriosis will have difficulty getting pregnant. Endometrial tissue can block the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from passing from the ovary to the uterus. It is possible to become pregnant with endometriosis, however, and once pregnant, symptoms of endometriosis resolve for the duration of the pregnancy.
Women with endometriosis can become pregnant without medical intervention. Endometriosis is a progressive disease, so women with the disease should not put off pregnancy. It often takes several months for women with endometriosis to become pregnant. If, after several months, the woman is not pregnant, her doctor may recommend medical intervention.
Laparascopy can help women become pregnant with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where uterine tissue develops outside of the uterus. This tissue, called endometrium, attaches to the outside of the reproductive organs and other organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the kidneys. The tissue produces blood during the menstrual period, but without anywhere to go, the blood creates inflammation that can cause blockages in the reproductive tract.
During laparascopic surgery, the physician will remove pieces of endometrial tissue and adhesions that have developed around the reproductive organs. Removing the tissue allows eggs to move unobstructed through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus. The tissue is removed with either scissors or a laser.
Endometriosis is fueled by estrogen and the menstrual cycle. The higher levels of progesterone necessary to support a pregnancy also control levels of estrogen in the body. Women typically notice symptoms of endometriosis, such as cramps, swelling, and pain, diminish during their pregnancy.
Doctors may treat women who are pregnant with endometriosis as high-risk pregnancies. While symptoms of endometriosis typically disappear during pregnancy, women who have endometriosis are more prone than the general population to experience certain pregnancy complications. They have an increased risk of premature birth and Cesarean section deliveries. They are also at an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia, a condition where the mother develops high blood pressure and protein in her urine. Pre-eclampsia develops in the second or third trimester, and can lead to kidney and liver problems for the mother and growth and respiratory problems for the baby.