Surgery while pregnant

28pregnantandscared

Hi everyone,

I posted a few days ago after receiving my diagnosis. So far, all I know is I have 2.9 by 2.2cm tumour in the left breast, with grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and also grade 0 DCIS.

Unfortunately, I've learned they won't be able to test my lymph nodes during my lumpectomy surgery. Apparently the dye they use is radioactive and not safe for baby, so I won't learn if it's spread until after my baby is born when they will then do a sentinel node biopsy. Today I met with an oncologist who went over what my treatment plan will look like (mostly) as I await the results of the ER/Pr and HER2. They won't be starting chemo until 2 weeks after I give birth.

My concern right now is that I'll be 23 weeks pregnant next week and they've scheduled my lumpectomy for Tuesday under general anaesthesia. They're doing an ultrasound on the baby and attaching me to a heart monitor right before surgery, but during the actual 45 min procedure, baby won't be monitored. Right after, they're doing another ultrasound and baby monitor and then I'm staying in hospital for 3 days to have baby monitored daily.

I have this perpetual fear my baby will die during surgery. I know they've said second trimester is ideal and it is relatively safe, but I'm still horrified. Does anyone have experience with being pregnant and having to have surgery? Or know someone who has? I need to be calmed down...

jhl

Hello 28,

I can understand your anxiety about surgery but your surgeon's recommendations follow ACOG's recommendations for fetal monitoring during surgery: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/co.... Have you spoken with your own OB-GYN? He/she might be able to calm your fears. I have personally known of several women who have required surgery while pregnant. I feel their situations were particularly precarious because their surgeries were abdominal including removal of an ovarian cyst, cholecystectomy & several colon surgeries. There is no evidence general anesthetics will harm your baby. Also, your anesthesiologist will keep a close eye on your blood pressure and oxygenation.

I will be thinking about you on Tuesday,

Jane

2019whatayear

I'm reaching out to see if I can find someone who went thru a lumpectory during the 2nd semester. I understand your fears, if it helps surgeries during pregnancy aren't common, but they aren't rare either. I would think it wouldn't hurt to ask the surgeon and your ob/gyn to tell you about their experiences with surgery during the 2nd trimester.

If it helps remember your thoughts aren't facts--about 1 in 50 women who are pregnant have surgery during pregnancy and mom and babies are all good.

28pregnantandscared

Thank you so much ladies.

This is exactly why I am so thankful I found this community. I need this reassurance.

I also haven't slept in over 48 hours now and have had four different appointments with surgeons and oncologists and my ob in the past two days and I realize I'm not functioning properly, but my anxiety is spiralling out of control about this surgery.

I just want my baby and I don't want to deal with any of this...

jhl

Hello again 28,

Can I offer you another observation? Severe anxiety that leads to not sleeping we know can lead to adverse effects on both mother and baby: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC44992.... Can you share if you have a significant other? The two of you should be leaning and relying on each other during this time. Again, I'd encourage you to contact your OB-GYN about the seriousness of your anxiety. You know that going without sleep as long as you have doesn't allow you to process information well and you will & have been getting lots of information fast. Please, allow yourself to let this go for the next 2 hours. Get in bed, cradle your baby and take a nap, right now. That is the very best medicine you can do for yourself and your baby.

I will keep you in my thoughts,

Jane

2019whatayear

I hope you get some rest as Jane suggested. Some solid sleep will do you a world of good. Take care of you.

28pregnantandscared

I'm overwhelmed by how sweet everyone is on this board.

I had a two hour nap this afternoon after my ultrasound. It felt good to get some sleep.

I also called my OB crying earlier and she told me there is no better time to do this than right now, and yes it isn't ideal, but it's either take this small risk or live with a growing cancer for months.

I feel very stuck, but I guess I'll have to just pray and pray and pray my baby makes it through.

LivinLife

Sooo glad you heard back from your OB and got additional reassurance about timing! I agree with the others about the importance of sleep for your and the baby's health. Even if you are only able to snuggle in bed or on the couch, close your eyes and rest.... So important you slow your body down and then hopefully your mind will slow a little too. Not sure if you talked with your OB about increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping - if not and issues continue please reach out to her again and ask for other safe recommendations....

buttonsmachine

I'm glad that your OB was able to offer some reassurance. I'm wishing you the best, and I hope you have the support of your family and friends during your recovery too. You and your little baby will both be in my prayers.