We know about of lot of deformities and abnormalities of various human body parts, but not many of us know about an abnormality of uterus. One such abnormality is known as bicornuate uterus. Though this deformity is a birth defect, and can be detected only when a woman has conceived, it can be corrected through surgery. Before pregnancy, this abnormality does not get detected or does not hamper the normal functioning of female reproductive system.

Bicornuate uterus is also known as heart shaped uterus. A uterus is otherwise pear shaped. The word bicornuate is derived from a Latin word cornu meaning horn and hence bicornuate uterus is commonly known as a heart-shaped uterus. This bicornuate uterus consists of two horns which are separated by a tissue, which is known as septum and thus it forms a heart like shape. A bicornuate uterus is just one form of malformed uterus. There are other uterine malformations namely, unicornuate uterus or a one-sided uterus, Mullerian agenesis where the uterus is absent, uterus didelphys or a having double uterus, and septated uterus or uterus which has partition or a dip in the middle.

It is possible to get the bicornuate uterus detected but only using USG or ultrasonography. In such cases delivery is done by C-section.

• Potential Risk Caused By Bicornuate Uterus
• Loss of pregnancy or miscarriage
• Infertility or unable to conceive
• Preterm birth of babies
• Breech birth where the baby comes out with legs first and head later
• Babies born a mother having bicornuate uterus is under the risk of deformities
• Such pregnancy is considered as high-risk pregnancy 

Although, many consider that bicornuate uterus can render a woman infertile, however recent studies and research says that a woman with a bicornuate uterus can deliver a perfectly normal baby. Also, infertility cannot be linked with a woman having bicornuate uterus. In fact any such abnormality can make it difficult to conceive but babies are born to such women having uterine abnormalities through C-section. Also, since such pregnancies are high-risk pregnancy a constant monitoring through ultrasonography and physical examination is a must. Through surgery this malformed uterus can be correct, but not all such malformation needs surgery. It actually depends on the severity of the malformation that the doctor decides whether a surgery is required or not.

For a pregnant woman with a bicornuate uterus, usually no surgery is required however a cerclage or cervical stitch is done in the cervix to prevent opening of the cervix before term and to prevent a miscarriage. It is usually done at around 14 weeks of pregnancy and the stitch is open at around 37 weeks of pregnancy. Lastly, it depends on the severity of your uterine abnormality which will help doctors take the course of action. So a good doctor is must for handling such high-risk cases. If someone is detected with a uterine abnormality, such as a bicornuate uterus, take all the advice from experienced doctors who have knowledge about such abnormalities and who know how to deal with such cases. A good doctor can take away more than half of your worries and anxieties just by consultation and the rest half can be done through adequate rest, precautions, medicines and proper care during pregnancy.