Bicornuate uterus complications

The altered cavity can leave less room for a pregnancy to grow or make the baby's position less predictable. Possible complications include pregnancy loss, early labour or birth, restricted fetal growth, breech or transverse position, caesarean birth and heavier bleeding after delivery. Having the condition does not mean these outcomes will occur.

A bicornuate uterus has a deep indentation at its top, creating two upper spaces within a heart-shaped outer contour. A pregnancy usually develops in one side. The available shape can affect expansion, placental attachment and how the baby lies later in pregnancy.

Outside pregnancy, the condition often causes no major problem. Some people experience pelvic pain or difficult periods, although these symptoms can have unrelated causes. Accurate imaging matters because a bicornuate uterus and a septate uterus differ in anatomy and may lead to different treatment discussions.

Before trying to conceive, share the diagnosis and any history of pregnancy loss, early birth or uterine surgery with an obstetrician. The clinician can confirm the anatomy, review medicines and agree how pregnancy care should be organised. Pelvic MRI may help when ultrasound has not fully defined the uterine outline.

During pregnancy, the maternity team may arrange additional ultrasound checks to follow fetal growth, placental position, cervical changes and the baby's presentation. The findings, rather than the diagnosis alone, guide decisions about monitoring and delivery. Surgery to reshape the uterus is uncommon and is reserved for carefully selected people with significant reproductive problems.

If you are pregnant, contact your maternity unit promptly for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular contractions or tightening, severe or persistent abdominal pain, or a noticeable reduction in your baby's usual movements. Go to urgent care for heavy bleeding, fainting, breathing difficulty or intense pain.

When you are not pregnant, seek timely assessment for sudden severe pelvic pain, fever with pelvic pain, very heavy bleeding, faintness or symptoms of anaemia. A bicornuate uterus should not be assumed to be the cause until other urgent conditions have been considered.

Ask how certain the diagnosis is, whether the indentation is partial or complete, what your previous pregnancy history means for future care, which extra checks may be offered, and how the baby's position and placental location could influence delivery planning.