In shock! Very unexpected and not sure how to feel about it.

[Jourdain11]

Bit of background... I was diagnosed with AML 2 years ago and had chemo, which the cancer responded well to and is now in remission. I was told that, even though I didn't have to have a transplant, the likelihood of infertility after treatment was quite high. I was 32 at the time but we have 3 kids and had considered our family "complete", so I was a bit "what will be will be", if I'm honest.

About 2 months after I finished treatment, my periods came back and have been regular ever since. I've also been surprisingly healthy, aside from some residual fatigue, dodgy blood counts and bloody horrible interstitial cystitis, apparently as a result of the chemo.

I hadn't taken oral contraception since diagnosis and we've been reasonably careful, with a few "moments", but it seemed so immensely unlikely that I'd conceive again that I haven't been particularly cautious. I realised a couple of weeks ago that my period is late, but didn't think much about it. I've been moody and sore boobs etc, but thought it was just extra PMT for the late period. But on Thursday, I got to work feeling a bit upset-stomach-ish, sat down to work and knew I was going to be sick. Which I was, for about half an hour, and was then fine. And at that point, something clicked in my brain...

It has taken me till last night to do a test (actually, three) and it was positive, which I wasn't at all surprised by at this point. To be precise, all three were positive and I should be 6 weeks pregnant. I'm not sure how I feel, DH was over the moon, but I'm more than a bit thrown. I wouldn't have been thinking of this even pre-cancer and I know there will be health considerations and stuff. But at the same time, I can't help feeling that if it happens in spite of everything, it must be meant! If anyone has any experience of being pregnant after cancer and chemo being pregnant in your thirties etc. I'd be so happy for any wise words of advice!

I also had a blood cancer, am early thirties and am currently pregnant with my 2nd child (I had my first before I was ill). I finished chemo 4 years ago now and have had a lovely straightforward pregnancy! Ive had a couple of extra growth scans just to be on the safe side due to my history but baby has grown perfectly with no concerns. I also managed to avoid a transplant thankfully but nevertheless I always wondered if I would have any problems concieving after treatment which turned out to be no problem at all as I was always desperate to have more children and was so scared that option had been taken away from me. I agree with you that having children post cancer feels meant to be.
Although I have really enjoyed my pregnancy and felt so priviliged to be pregnant again after what happenee to me, sometimes I occasionally had the odd thought of oh I'm really tired, I hope the cancer hasnt relapsed when it was obviously due to normal pregnancy symptoms which played on my mind from time to time. I also had a few thoughts about what if the cancer came back and I leave two children without a mum. But I am sure these feelings are completely normal for women in our situation!
If I were you I would check in with your Haematologist and let them know your happy news, just incase they had any suggestions going forward for you in terms of frequency of oncology checkups/obstetric monitoring etc. I think they normally advise at least 2 years post chemo to conceive as the risk of relapse goes down a lot after 2 years, so although its a shock to you at least its not like youre 2 months out of treatment where the decision would be much harder from a medical point of view.
If you decide to proceed with your pregnancy I dont think you will regret it after what youve been through! Theres something amazing about bringing new life into the world after such a harrowing experience. It sound like you have a great support network with your husband being on board and with 3 other children you know what youre letting yourself in for with a new baby. I never post on here but I just had to reach out as there arent a huge amount of women in our situation (thankfully!) so I wanted you to know you arent alone and at least for me, being pregnant in my early thirties post cancer is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I wish you all the luck in the world whatever you decide.

Blimey that’s a turn up.

Check in with the doc as PP says, and have an open minded chat with your husband. Obviously it’s up to you what you do, but it will be helpful regardless to talk through all the implications and settle into the idea together.

@grace1591 Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! It has taken me ages to reply, but I did read at the time and it was actually helpful for me to hear from someone who has been through something similar. I had some very frank discussions with my doctor and we've decided to go ahead, as there's no risk to my health. They did say that generally they recommend no less than 2y after chemo because the risk of relapse is much reduced at that point, but I got the results back from a full raft of tests this week and everything looks good.

Obviously it is early days and I haven't really told anyone yet. My work may soon start to wonder, as I have been quite sick in the mornings and have also been experiencing a bit of an overactive bladder so I feel like I'm constantly dashing to the loo for one reason and another! I had this in the first tri each time, but I think it's worse this time because of the IC...

I'm going to be quite closely monitored so I definitely feel in good and safe hands!