I've had two miscarriages (both at eight weeks) and had a myomectomy two months ago. My doctor said to wait a year to heal. I am afraid of adhesions and scar tissues. I've also heard of some women trying to conceive three months after a myomectomy. Which is it?

T.N.

Traditionally, physicians have been asking women to wait one year after myomectomy (fibroid removal) before attempting pregnancy, to allow the uterus to heal and regain the strength needed to avoid rupture as it expands. More recent studies have suggested that sufficient healing is achieved by three months to enable pregnancy to continue safely in a majority of cases.

You would do best to ask your physician if there were any specific concerns regarding your situation that would warrant waiting the longer time period. If your doctor reports that she or he always waits one year after removing uterine fibroids, then I would suggest seeking a second opinion before making a decision to attempt pregnancy earlier.