The pregnant woman experiences a contrast of emotions. She is extremely happy for the arrival of her son, and at the same time has to deal with the uncertainty about the future and the pains of the disease.
When a woman is going to become a mother she cannot be happier. The feelings that overwhelm you are positive, of hope and hope, but what happens when you have to face a cancer diagnosis? How does the situation change for mother and child? Next we will learn more about this complicated moment.
The announcement of a pregnancy It is a moment of joy for family and friends, however, having to know that you have cancer can cause all attention and thoughts to be directed more in that direction. It will be difficult for the mother to copeNot only because of their own situation, but also because of the fact that their environment does not experience the happiness that it requires, and they focus more on the fear of the disease.
The woman in the same way, lives a contrast of emotions. He feels tremendously happy for what the arrival of his son means, and at the same time has to deal with fear, uncertainty about the future, and the pains of illness. These feelings can lead to a state of permanent sadness, hopelessness and depression. Added to this is having to make complicated decisions about the treatment to be followed, the request for help from relatives and close people ...
Coping with pregnancy with cancer
To the mother diagnosed with cancer A thousand and one questions arise, fears, insecurities assail him… It is also convenient for you to inform yourself, search and ask questions. Know about the possible treatments, different ways of action, know the affectation that the disease will have on your baby…, Your level of distress will decrease. The yogaIt can even be therapy, not medical, to help you relax and find some peace on your way.
Daily family help and support are essential so that the mother does not feel alone and lost. They must be knowledgeable about the entire process in order to collaborate without being mere spectators. The psychologist is also a key figure who can help the mother to go through this trance and equip it with the necessary tools. His work will be based on educating her on an emotional level. Sometimes even being a confidant, listening to the patient's fears and ramblings, lending her a hand… it means a lot. This manages to involve those who accompany her and to establish very solid and permanent ties.
Despite the harshness of the moment, the goodwill and good work of the woman will finally give results and will cause the situation to become more bearable. The added risks of the stage, hormonal and emotional changes, stress, the new measures to take care of yourself on a day-to-day basis…, these are new points to work on and implement.
Treating Cancer in Pregnancy
The mother's opinion, together with the participation of the therapists, regarding the path to follow, is fundamental.
One in every 1000 pregnant women may develop cancer. With the passage of time, these diagnoses become more frequent in pregnant women due to their advanced age, the stressful level of life they lead ... Therefore, becoming a mother after 30 or 40 years adds risks. As soon as the professionals handling the case decide to implement a treatment, there are optimal drugs to give to pregnant women, without harming the fetus or the mother.
Not only the oncologist and the doctor or midwife assisting the mother must approve the treatment, the opinion of the pregnant woman regarding the path to follow is essential. The participation of the therapist (s) is essential. Years ago, the mother was advised not to continue with the pregnancy or not to be treated for cancer until after giving birth. Today many cases of pregnant women are treated for cancer at the same time they go through their pregnancy, even in a better way than those who are not pregnant.
To act and treat yourself properly you must know many aspects, such as:
-Type of cancer.
-Size of the tumor.
-Speed of growth.
-Spread or not of the tumor.
-Stadium in which the disease is found.
-Age and medical history of the patient.
-Month of pregnancy of the mother.
-Recommended treatments.
Knowing and assessing the conditions of the mother, both psychologically and medically, decisions must be made and acted accordingly. It not only affects his health, and the mother takes it into account at all times, if not that of her child. Something that mothers normally put first. For this the ultimate decision of the woman must be understood and supported, without valuing it or giving priority to their own opinion.
There are treatments to resolve cancer, however, preventive tests such as mammograms in the case of breast cancer, they are essential, despite the low percentage of finding cancer during pregnancy. And it is even viable that the pregnancy ends happily after the disease is treated. After the second trimester, especially the third, when the fetus is protected and sufficiently developed, there are not so many problems to apply chemotherapy. Biopsy, ultrasound, mastectomy, and general anesthesia do not harm the baby.
The fears of a pregnant woman facing cancer
Every woman deals with the disease in a different way. Some collapse, it is difficult for them to get up and fight, others from the first moment draw strength and do not decline, they are positive and are normally animated. Truly there is no equation that explains how to face and cope with this disease when you are pregnant or when you are not.
Believe that you will not be there to care for your child, that the cancer it can be a genetic inheritance ... it can destabilize the mother and plunge her into deep fear. Hence If you do not work together with a strong healthcare team that supports and guides you, you should find another team, other personnel who do pass the difficulty next to the woman and go hand in hand. Checking yourself before starting to become pregnant is a recommended and responsible option. Especially in the case of having a family history of cancer.