Surgery in 1st Trimester

[MegAnne83]

Hey all,

I am facing an nightmare decision.
I am nearly 6 weeks pregnant at 38 years old with first child.

This week I have managed to brake my leg to such an extent that surgery is recomended. Surgery will be needed in the next 2-3 weeks if I am to prevent the bones fusing in a deformity and to prevent disability.

I am being given the choice of:

Agreeing to 1st trimester surgery to fix my leg, but with all the potential risks that brings to my little tiny baby, miscarrage, birth defects, early birth, low birth weight, still birth etc.

or

Delaying op, meaning a significant risk of permenant deformity and disability, as well as a harder recovery as they would have to re break all the bones.

Anyone have any experience, suggestions, studies they could share with me to help me make the right choice.

I have also asked the team to look Into the options of me being awake for the surgery if it reduces the risk.

It feels an impossible task.

Oh my goodness I am SO sorry you are having to go through this let alone make such a decision. Sorry about your leg.

I would go for option 2 but that's me. Good luck OP

I would not go for life long disability.
Option 2 would not be a good result.
It is so tempting because of the risk to the baby, but to make a deliberate choice to be in pain for the rest of your life will also impact the whole of your baby's life, as it will effect you as a mother, your ability to work and so on.

I wonder if an epidural is possible? Although they are normally done too far up the spine to be helpful.

So sorry you are going through this, it's extremely nerve wracking. I had surgery on my ovary at 16 weeks so second trimester, and had to sign the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage etc form, I was hysterical! I will say my baby is fine but I'm unsure if that's of any comfort as it wasn't so early on. Big hugs xx

and when exactly would they be able to operate? Are you facing your whole pregnancy in a wheelchair/on crutches?
Then an operation with a newborn?

Or are they suggesting you wait until second trimester?

I had abdominal surgery when I was 4 weeks pregnant - it involved my womb. I did a test in hospital before the surgery - negative, next day at home strong positive.

Thank you all for your lovely comments and honest thoughts, it's greatly appreciated.

Option one. You need to be the best you can for your child.

@steppermum That's a very good point, I hadn't considered I could still be In wheelchair or crutches until after the baby arrives.

2nd trimester could maybe work but this would still result in me removing for the duration of my pregnancy, although I suppose that's preferable to recovery with a small child!

I'd have the surgery now. Loads of women must have surgery in the very early stages of pregnancy before they even know they're pregnant- fracture repairs from skiing accidents, falling off horses, car crashes etc. Foetal haemoglobin is "stronger" at binding oxygen than maternal haemoglobin so the baby won't run short of oxygen, for example.

[quote MegAnne83]@steppermum That's a very good point, I hadn't considered I could still be In wheelchair or crutches until after the baby arrives.

2nd trimester could maybe work but this would still result in me removing for the duration of my pregnancy, although I suppose that's preferable to recovery with a small child![/quote]
That should read, recovering not removing!

@Garysmum

I had abdominal surgery when I was 4 weeks pregnant - it involved my womb. I did a test in hospital before the surgery - negative, next day at home strong positive.

That sounds terrifying, how did it all go for you?

OP I broke my ankle and needed an op a few years ago.

I honestly would have the op now. It was very very painful until the op, and it was 2 weeks after the op before I felt better.

I cannot imagine waiting for the operation for weeks. I think the stress and pain will have a negative effect on the baby anyway.