Endometriosis and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and are pregnant—or hoping to be—you might be wondering: Will my condition affect my pregnancy?

The good news is, many women with endometriosis have healthy pregnancies. But there are a few things worth knowing, and recent research can help us understand what to expect.

Most Pregnancies Go Smoothly

Studies show that women with endometriosis are not at higher risk for many common pregnancy problems. These include:

• Ectopic pregnancy (when a pregnancy grows outside the uterus)
• Gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes during pregnancy)
• Low birth weight
• Needing forceps or vacuum during delivery

In short: having endometriosis doesn’t automatically mean a complicated pregnancy.

Some Risks Are Slightly Higher

That said, there are a few pregnancy-related issues that happen a little more often in women with endometriosis. These may include:

• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Delivering the baby a bit early
• Heavy bleeding after birth

These risks are usually mild and can often be managed with regular checkups and the right care.

One Thing to Watch Closely: Placenta Position

One of the most consistent findings is that women with endometriosis are more likely to have placenta previa, which means the placenta is sitting low in the uterus and may cover the cervix.

This can increase the chance of needing a C-section and may lead to bleeding during pregnancy. But it’s something doctors check for with ultrasound and can plan around.

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and Placenta Previa: Just a Link or a Cause?

Some of the strongest findings in endometriosis research focus on a specific, more severe type called deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). This form of the disease can invade deeper layers of pelvic tissue—and may be more than just linked to pregnancy complications.

What the Studies Say

Multiple large reviews have found that women with DIE are more likely to develop placenta previa, a condition where the placenta lies unusually low in the uterus. The risk appears especially high in women with severe forms of endometriosis.

Interestingly, women with milder stages of the disease did not show a significantly increased risk, suggesting it’s not just endometriosis, but the severity and depth of the disease that matters most.

C-Sections Are More Common

Many women with endometriosis end up delivering by cesarean section. This might be due to prior surgeries, scar tissue, or placenta issues—not necessarily because of something going wrong.

What About the Baby?

Most babies born to mothers with endometriosis do just as well as other babies. A few may need to spend time in the neonatal unit, but overall, there’s no strong evidence of serious risks to the baby—especially with good prenatal care.

While these conditions can pose challenges, many women with endometriosis have successful pregnancies. The key is to be aware, proactive, and work with experts who can support you every step of the way.

Would you like to share your own experience? Please do not hesitate to leave a comment on our post on Facebook or Instagram.

Further reading

You may also wish to explore the latest literature available on Endonews for further insights:

Preterm Birth Risk Higher Among Women With Endo

The most influential adverse effects of endometriosis