A cancer diagnosis during pregnancy can spark a host of unexpected fears and concerns...
A cancer diagnosis during pregnancy can sometimes mean having to face heartbreaking decisions, which can lead to the loss of your baby. This may be due because the pregnancy is the only option to allow treatment of an aggressive cancer, but equally it could happen due to miscarriage or stillbirth. Whatever the reason, if you find yourselves in this situation, it is important to recognise your need and right to grieve, despite ongoing treatment and/or surgery and your medical team should also be respectful of your need to grieve. You should be offered and have access to all bereavement and loss support in the same way you would, had there not been a cancer diagnosis and this includes memory making and being offered the opportunity to take prints and photographs with you and your baby. For further guidance and support and information following a loss, including compassionate induction/medical termination, we suggest contacting: Stillbirth and Neonatal Death SANDS sands.org.uk
Tommy's tommys.org Memory boxes 4Louis 4louis.co.uk Simba simbacharity.org.uk Most hospitals involved in your care can provide information on these organisations, but if in doubt please ask.
If you have any other pregnancy related fears, don't hesitate to reach out to your Information and Support Worker or email info@mummysstar.org for referral.
