Nationwide — Brionna Johnson, an African American woman from Chicago, was 17 weeks pregnant when doctors removed a 27-pound fibroid. She experienced disparities in treatment after being advised to consider termination and a hysterectomy before finding surgical care that preserved both her pregnancy and fertility.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, she sought care at Loretto Hospital after experiencing severe pain caused by a rapidly growing uterine fibroid. The mass had expanded to the point where it pressed on her uterus and nearby organs, making basic movement difficult.
Before arriving at Loretto, multiple doctors warned that the pregnancy carried high risks. They recommended ending the pregnancy and removing her uterus through a hysterectomy, but she declined and continued searching for alternatives.
At Loretto Hospital, obstetrics specialist Dr. Pierre Johnson assessed her condition and moved forward with a surgical plan designed to protect the pregnancy. He successfully removed the 27-pound fibroid through a small, low abdominal incision.
Her recovery went smoothly, with no major complications reported. After surgery, she noticed better mobility and relief from pain, and she also began feeling fetal movement again during her second trimester.
“I’m starting to feel the flutters and the movement; it’s just all surreal that I woke up and got new lease on life and opportunity at motherhood,” Johnson said.
Doctors involved in her care also highlighted broader concerns about treatment gaps. They pointed to research, including a 2025 NIH-linked analysis, showing non-white patients are less likely to receive minimally invasive surgical care compared to white patients. They stressed the importance of listening closely to patients and considering all treatment options.
“We are literally just asking for the help that anybody else would want and fairness in that as well,” Johnson said.
She continues to be monitored by her medical team and is expected to carry the pregnancy to term, with her due date set for August. Doctors confirmed that her fertility remains intact following the surgery.
Source: BlackNews.com
