hi i was all set to have my chemo with my daughter accompanying me. she is four months pregnant. when we asked chemo nurse on our visit we were told she couldn’t come with me due to being pregnant. i was so upset but wont put her or my grandchild to b at risk so now have my husband for company … i was so upset i rang my GP and not heard of anything like it. i asked oncologist and she said never heard of anything but she did say if nurses say it its for a reason… once thought put in my mind we wont risk it now. oh just like to add there is a pregnant nurse working in chemo unit…
Hi, I went with my mum to chemo when I was pregnant. The nurses never mentioned any risk and they were aware I was pregnant, so what you were told does sound odd. Sorry I can’t be of any more help!
Zoe x x
As you say, once you have been told something it is always in your mind, unfortunately. You would think that if there is evidence about this there would be a big notice in all the chemotherapy units saying that pregnant people should not visit. (Just like there is a sign up when you have an X-ray warning pregnant people that they need to be aware of the dangers). Seems to make very little sense that they would let a pregnant nurse work there if there really is a danger. Good luck with your chemotherapy treatment, and hopefully you will get lots more replies. Sarah x
Just wanted to say that I had chemo while I was pregnant and am now the v proud mum of a fiesty little 4 year old who so far being fit and well despite having to endure 2 cycles along with me so it can’t be that bad. I hope all goes well for you during your treatment
xxxxxxxx
Just had another thought Jal, why not ask the BCC helpline, they are bound to have come across this before. And perhaps the National Childbirth Trust would have some knowledge on this. Some things are just said to err on the side of caution, or because that’s what’s always been done. That’s not satisfactory though, and certainly does not help you, what you need is the rationale of actually what harm, and by what means of transmission they think could occur. I certainly can’t think of any, there would have to be direct contact with the chemo and that’s just not going to happen, especially if she uses another loo not the one in the unit. If you have the strength it would be interesting if you could find out some more information and then discuss it with the Unit Manager, you might be doing more than just you a favour! Best of luck, whether it’s your daughter or your husband with you. Sarah xx
thanks to you all i am off noe with a bucket for all the tears. its 11.oo appt if i ever get there. so wont be home till late.have a good day all
Sounds like a load of old tosh to me!! When my son was going through chemotherapy, many of the young mums on the ward with their children were pregnant, as were two of the nurses administering the chemo. It was a children’s ward, with kids running around everywhere and never did anyone say about any danger. How could it be? I would imagine that it would be difficult to come into direct contact with the drugs?? Maybe things have changed, but I doubt it. The next thing the nurse will say is keep away because cancer is contagious!!
Cathy
Hi,
my daughter is five months pregnant and she checked with her midwife and consultant and I checked with mine(not the midwife part thank goodness) and we were both told there was no reason why she couldn’t accompany me but as she is needle phobic we both decided that was not a good idea.
Trish
Hi all
the only thing i can think of is that when i had my bone scan i was told not to go near pregnant women … perhaps there is a slight danger that somoene could be slightly radioactive … having said that the same danger would aply to sitting on a bus, queueing in a shop and a million other things
I do feel very sorry for you as this is all very hard to get your head around and then when you’ve made a plan it’s very upsetting when last minute changes are made - very unsettling indeed - but don’t worry you’ll be fine
i had a nightmare when i had my op as my room wasn’t ready (I am not in UK) and then they told me to put my case in a cupboard and go down to theatre in my clothes and I was mortified!!! I did change outside … I was trying not to cry but couldn’t help it and they thought it was re: the op but it wasn’t it was because i didn’t have a room and i hadn;t aksed for an extra pillow! Which i didn;t get until 6 hours before I left!
and then the aneathastist (spelling?) tried to make it better by saying not to worry - i wouldn’t miss the op and if necessary they’d look after me in the corridor outside the theatre - he meant it kindly but that just made a bad situation worse …
we are all doing our best to soldier and then an apparently small thing can set off an avelanche
hope it goes well for you - I’m sure that it will
you’ll be fine
love FizBix xxx
Hi Jal - Just want to say that I hope your first chemotherapy was not as stressful as you were imagining, and that you didn’t need that bucket at all, just a few tissues for any tears! Did your husband go with you? I hope you felt well looked after and cared for. It really is a big hurdle getting over the first chemo, but at least you feel you have got started - sometimes the waiting is worse! Hope you are not feeling too bad, the first week can be rather tough, but hopefully much better after that. We are all different. Do let us know how you are when you are feeling up to it. Love Sarah x
Hi there,
Maybe the nurse was concerned that if you fell ill or collapsed then your daughter may not be able to lift or support you. There is no other reason that I can think of. love Andrea x
thanks to everyone. i had my first dose yesterday and cold cap and got through it. i had a side private room which was best. so far so good i have so much energy i have rang my son and my daughter to bring their ironing round. i slept well. and no signs of anything else yet. i wait in fear. on Monday have nurse coming to give inj to boost my immunity as still have a wound not healed fro op in DEC. i believe this will make my bones ache and i will have flu. i cant wait. have a good Easter all xxxxxxxxxxjuliexxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Julie, Well done for getting the first one behind you. Good grief, don’t give everyone the wrong idea with the ironing!!! I think the steroids are a real help those first few days, and the anti-nausea tabs. Hope you keep feeling not too bad, you might well, we are all different.,Time for a little TLC for you though, to say the least - and is ironing the very best way to get your wound to heal!!! Now you sit back and put your feet up a bit and have a good Easter. Good luck with your injection, sounds a bit like one I’m on, but so far so good! Sarah xxxx
hi sarah day 2 feel tired restless night. grandson been to collect Easter eggs. i love ironing i cant sit and do nothing. i am making myself do things i shall be worn out. dreading injections as checked wound and nearly all dry. hopefully on need them this once… what stage of chemo are you at. snow showers here this morning in bedford so no going out. xxx
Hi there and Happy Easter. Don’t get too tired though! I had three FEC, and have had two out of 3 Taxotere, so five down one to go! Glad to hear that your wound is healing, and I do hope that all the rest of your chemo goes OK. Just taking one day at a time seems to be a big help, somedays are a bit of a write off, others you could take on the world! Sarah x