- Cancer Information
- Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is often a positive time. Coping with pregnancy and cancer at the same time can be very difficult.
Getting support
Support is essential to help and guide you. This can include the different healthcare professionals in your cancer or pregnancy team.
Your doctors will try to keep your cancer treatment as close as possible to what you would have if you were not pregnant. However, they also need to balance your health with the safety of the baby.
Making decisions about cancer treatment when you are pregnant can be really hard. As well as worrying about your own health, you may worry about the baby’s health. Your doctors and specialist nurses will give you the information you need to help you make decisions.
Things to discuss with your healthcare team
The information in the original document highlights a number of concerns and questions you may wish to explore with your healthcare team:
- Making treatment decisions
- The stage of your pregnancy
- Whether treatment can be delayed, depending on the type of cancer and treatment needed
- Sometimes, considering ending your pregnancy
- Future fertility
- How different treatments may affect your body
- Short- and long-term side effects
Coping with motherhood after the birth
Support and helpful links
Mummy's Star
Mummy’s Star is the only charity in the UK and Ireland dedicated to women and birthing people affected by cancer during pregnancy and beyond. They support those diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy and within a year of a birth.
Bliss
Bliss supports families with information about caring for premature and full-term sick babies in hospital and when they go home.
The Breastfeeding Network
Helpline: 0300 100 0212
The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others. It informs, educates and supports families in feeding and nurturing babies and young children. It promotes the mental and physical wellbeing of mothers and babies through supporting breastfeeding.