Pregnancy after breast cancer? Anyone else out there?

[Woodelf]

Hi there,

Am expecting in September and am so happy that nature has let me not only get pregnant but this time stay pregnant after a series of miscarriages. Some years ago I had breast cancer - surgery, radiotherapy/chemotherapy and Tamoxifen for 5 years. Buggered up my hormones no end and had given up on a family - but hey there is always hope!

Anyone else out there?

Congratulations - that's great news. It sounds like you've really been through some tough times - I'm delighted for you.

Thrilled for you! Well done!! I don't have any experience, but hope you find some people, perhaps somewhere like LLL or Breastfeeing Network have got contacts, if you're thinking about trying to breastfeed.....I've found some really helpful people there as I'm going to try and breastfeed after reduction surgery. Best of luck!

Hi Woodelf

I am so pleased for you.

I had Breast Cancer 5 years ago had mastectomy chemo/radio. I've been ttc for a while now. I have regular periods & i've been getting the egg signs on the opks so i hope that this is a good sign.

I'm quite a positive person but your news has given me even more hope.

Did it take you a long time ttc? & if you don't mind me asking how old are you.

Congratulations
Take Care
J

Thanks! Squishy, will be attempting to breastfeed although only one breast is functioning I'm gonna give it a go so I will try the suggested contacts.

Hi Jag123! Sounds like all the signs are good. I had 3 miscarriages but these could have been down to bad luck as much as anything else. I'm 43 by the way so even considerable maturity doesn't necessarily mean the game's over!

Hi woodelf

I'm 35 so hopefully that helps. I went to see an obstrictian in Sept 04 to get the go ahead to try. I was happy to leave it to nature but i now feel i need to know if its possible so i can stop getting worked up each month. I'm having blood tests to check ov. I'm very lucky though as i already have a beautiful DD (she was 8 mths when i was diagnosed). If its meant to be it will happen for me.

I'm sorry about your 3 m/cs that must have been difficult.
Were you given any medical support when ttc?
Have you had to have any extra checks throughout your pg?

Sorry about all the questions but its so nice to hear of someone real with a positive outcome. I've heard stories in magazines etc but a lot of those didn't experience chemo. I did try the Breast Cancer Care website but it didn't feel right to ask about ttc when people were struggling through treatment etc.

Hope you are feeling well & the heats not getting to you too much.
Take Care
J

I didn't have any medical support when ttc - I didn't really know what was available. Found relaxation the best thing as anxiety/stress will get in the way for sure! After the 3 mcs did get referred to a consultant but by the time I got to see him was pg with this lo!

Had lots of v early scans but once got to the nuchal fold one at 12+ weeks have since just been treated like a regular pg woman - that is until they catch my birth date... Students seem to find me an 'interesting case'. Am now being told I'm at risk of Hypertension and pre-eclampsia but as I'm a hypnotherapist I use lots of relaxation techniques anyway - plus my bp is fairly low.

Heat doesn't help swelling ankles tho!

Woodelf, I also got a book, which is mainly for women trying to BFAR (breast feed after reduction) called "defining your own success" which goes into lots of ways of maximising your milk supply etc. There are herbs and other things that will help increase milk production. Lots of other things that may be of use to you on the bfar.org website. It seems that it is worth researching into it and finding out what you can before the little one arrives, despite what all of my medical practitioners think. There are things called at-breast supplementers which do the job of bringing baby close to you but also supplements, so if you have low milk to start with, the extra nipple stimulation can help increase that, too. Best of luck!!

Thanks Squishy! Will look up the website for more info

Hi Woodelf

Just wondered how you were doing. You are due this month aren't you?

J

A close friend has a beautiful 8 month old daughter after breast cancer surgery, radio, chemo and tamoxifen and she's breastfed with just one breast! Little girl is thriving and her mum is as dotty as the rest of us!