Can You Have a Baby After Cancer? Here’s What Our Expert Says

Cancer is a lethal ailment that will either make or break you. While there is yet no proper cure for the medical condition, there are warriors who have defeated cancer and overcome adversities with immense hopes in their hearts. Cancer is not a full stop to your life, once you have recovered, you can return to your old job and resume living life the way you always were. However, one question that often arises among cancer survivors is whether they can have a baby post-healing.

To know more about the issue, we spoke to Dr Yuvakshi Juneja, Senior Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology, MBBS, MD at Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Chirag Enclave, New Delhi. She shared how pregnancy after cancer is a possibility, however, there are a few factors that count. Keep reading to know more.

Pregnancy After Cancer: Factors To Consider

Timing Considerations

Oncologists usually recommend waiting a certain amount of gap between cancer treatment and conception. Dr Juneja advises, “This waiting period, often six months to five years, helps ensure the body has adequately recovered and the risk of cancer recurrence is minimal. During this time, survivors must undergo regular follow-up appointments to monitor their health and address any late effects of treatment.”

Fertility Preservation

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can adversely affect fertility. Therefore, you must look into fertility preservation options like freezing eggs or embryos before starting cancer treatment. “For those who did not preserve their fertility pre-treatment, consulting a reproductive endocrinologist can provide alternative options such as using donor eggs or embryos,” says Dr Juneja.

Health Assessment

Your overall health including cardiac and pulmonary functions must be examined post-treatment as they may get damaged in the long run. Dr Juneja recommends, “A comprehensive preconception health check-up can identify potential risks and help develop a safe pregnancy plan.”

Don't Miss:IVF Myths And Facts: Expert Addresses Common Misconceptions

Psychological Impact

“Survivors often grapple with fears of recurrence, concerns about their ability to carry a pregnancy to term, and the potential genetic implications for their child.,” advises Dr Juneja. Counselling or support groups can be extremely beneficial in providing emotional reassurance and uplifting women psychologically.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

“A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can enhance the chances of a healthy pregnancy and delivery,” says Dr Juneja.

Don't Miss:5 Key Factors To Balance Reproductive Hormones; Expert Weighs In

In conclusion, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and indulging in regular checkups is a must for pregnancy after cancer. However, consult your doctor for personalised advice.

If you liked this story, stay tuned to HerZindagi for more!

Herzindagi.com is Jagran New Media's gender and lifestyle vertical, catering to women of all age groups, helping them remain updated, on-trend and aware. To improve our performance and understand our readers' interests better, we have created this poll. This will take 2 minutes of your time, do help us out. Click here to fill out the form.

Image courtesy: Freepik