Life After Cancer: Pregnancy
If you’re thinking of trying to get pregnant, talk with your healthcare team about what you can expect. Your situation will be unique to you and your cancer journey.
Having cancer and going through cancer treatment can sometimes have long-lasting effects on your body. Some treatments and kinds of cancer don’t affect fertility and pregnancy at all. But some can make getting pregnant difficult. This can be incredibly upsetting if you want to have a baby. But remember that your healthcare team is here to help you figure out how to move forward.
If you’re thinking of trying to get pregnant, talk with your healthcare team. Ask them about:
Your fertility status
What you can expect
If you should consult with a fertility specialist
How long to wait after treatment before trying to get pregnant
Your situation will be unique to you and your cancer journey. Here are some of the common topics or issues that come up for people trying to get pregnant after cancer treatment.
Fertility changes
It might be harder for you to get pregnant after having cancer treatments like:
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Surgery
These treatments can:
Hurt reproductive organs
Change your hormone levels
Impact the number or quality of your eggs
To understand more about your situation, talk with your oncologist or a fertility expert.
Assisted reproductive techniques
You may need to explore other choices for getting pregnant. These can include assisted reproductive techniques like:
In vitro fertilization
Using donor eggs
Having a surrogate carry your embryo
Using embryo donation·
A fertility expert will guide you through the process for any of these choices.
Risk of cancer recurrence
Some types of cancer can have a higher risk of coming back during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Some examples include certain gynecological and breast cancers. Talk with your healthcare team to understand your situation and risks.
Possible pregnancy complications
Certain cancer treatments can increase the risk of pregnancy complications, such as:
Preterm birth
Low birth weight
Pregnancy loss
Work closely with your healthcare team. They’ll watch you to make sure you and your baby are healthy.
Genetic counseling
Some cancers have known genetic components. Some of these cancers include Lynch syndrome or hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. If this applies to your cancer, you can meet with a genetic counselor to find out the risk of passing on the same genes to your child.
Emotional well-being
Trying to have a baby after cancer treatment can be filled with uncertainties and challenges. Having a support network in place can help you. Your network can include anyone you trust and can talk with. That can include friends, family, mental health providers, or other people in the same situation. The process of getting pregnant may not be easy. But know that you have options and a team to help you along the way.