Arcuate, bicornuate or septic uterus?

Question

Hi Ladies!

I've recently had an US that revealed... Exactly what has it revealed? US tech with 12 years of experience told me it is partially bicornuate, my young Dr that it could be bicornuate, but he thinks it's septic. I am going to see RE next week, but wanted to get your opinion as well!

Thanks for the input!

Answer

Hi did you get any further clarification? I think mines arcuate from an US

Answer

Yours definitely looks like an arcuate uterus. I have an arcuate uterus and was often misdiagnosed with a heart shaped uterus (professionally called bicornuate uterus). Basically with a regular uterus it is shaped like an upside down pear. With uterine deformities, when we were in the womb our uteruses did not fully complete and take different shapes. There's several different uterine deformities, but the arcuate uterus is one of the most mild. You basically have a small dip in the top of your uterus. Uterine deformities are rare and a lot of people, even some obgyns, are not familiar with it. They might refer to your arcuate uterus as a "heart shaped uterus" which is incorrect. A true heart shaped uterus is a bicornuate uterus which is a more serious uterine deformity. I was misdiagnosed with a bicornuate uterus for several years before I went to see a reproductive endocrinologist and he properly diagnosed me with an arcuate uterus, which is a big difference! With a bicornuate you have a much deeper split in your uterus nearly causing two separate horns which is where the term heart shape comes in. If the bicornuate split much more it would actually become a separate uterus which is where you have two completely different horns, sometimes you even have two vaginas with this uterine deformity although rare. With an arcuate uterus it is a VERY mild uterine deformity. With a bicornuate uterus I was given a slim chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. With an arcuate the chances are so much higher. Although you should let your healthcare provider know that you have an arcuate uterus when you're pregnant. The issues an arcuate uterus deformity could cause is the embryo implanting into the dip of your uterus which consists of dead tissue. If the baby implants there it doesn't have a healthy blood supply and will most likely end in miscarriage. If it implants correctly then you have little to worry about, towards the end of pregnancy you might be at a higher risk of early labor simply because the baby might grow out of room and start labor early. So possible bed rest might be advised. With an arcuate uterus your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and delivery are very good, hardly any less than a woman with a normal uterus. 
I'm going to attach two pictures. The first picture is my uterus, an arcuate uterus. You can see there's a mild dip on the tip of the uterus. Kind of taking the shape of the letter U. In a normal uterus you would not have the dip, it would form upwards like a bubble and look like a pear shape. The bottom is a bicornuate. I'm attaching this because people might refer to your uterus as a heart shape which is incorrect. A bicornuate is a much more serious uterine deformity. Even if women have a bicornuate uterus I have read successful stories of them having healthy pregnancies. But keep in mind that early delivery is expected. Often with a bicornuate uterus the baby doesn't have room to flip around and is often breeched and requires c-sections. I'm 4 weeks pregnant with an arcuate uterus so I'll let you know how my pregnancy goes:) 
I'm attaching two pictures. The first picture is of my arcuate uterus. Notice the U-Shape on the top, that is the difference between your uterus and abnormal uterus. In a normal uterus it would of formed upwards making a pear like shape form.

The second picture is of a bicornuate uterus, notice how the dip goes further making two horns. This is a heart shaped uterus. Many women (including me) are misdiagnosed as bicornuate uterus when really it's an arcuate uterus. Uterine deformities are pretty rare and you really need to see an RE to talk to someone who's knowledgeable. Heart shaped uterus is often used to describe an arcuate uterus but that is incorrect. A bicornuate is a heart shaped uterus due to the severity of the dip and the horns.

Answer

I was suspected bicornuate based on ultrasounds then I had sonohysterogram done (saline injected into uterus while internal ultrasound done). They concluded it's a uterine septum. Maybe you should push for that so they can get a better look at shape?

Answer

If it was septated it wouldn't be flat on top. You're definitely looks heart shaped. I need to get my picture from my doctor. I have a septum all but splitting my uterus in half. If I get one I'll post it here

Arcuate, bicornuate or septic uterus?

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