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Has anyone had a hysterectomy w/ a newborn at home? My oncologist is recommending a hysterectomy 6 weeks after our baby is born. This is hypothetical-- I am not pregnant yet. He would use the DaVinci robot.
Wondering how you handled being in the hospital w/ the baby at home and nursing, and recovery? Also, what if you had a C section first.
Thanks.
Cancer Childbirth Surgery Hysterectomy Pain Pregnancy Vicodin
I haven't yet, but I'm facing that, although not quite as early as what you're looking at. My son is 3 months old, I just had my cone, so I dealt with the whole issue of not being able to nurse after surgery. Fortunately, I've been pumping at least every morning since about the time he was born (I donate my breastmilk to another mom who can't nurse), so I was thrilled that I already have plenty of extra supply, and had no problem stocking up enough milk to feed him for the 24 hours after my surgery while the anesthesia was working out of my system. I did not want him geting vicodin, so I've definitely taken less pain pills than I would have if i wasn't nursing. Had I not been nursing I would have jsut kept on the vicodin continuously for the first two days, jsut to prevent ay pain at all. But instead I let the vicodin wear off, pump and dump, and then once I felt comfortable it was out of my milk, I would pump an extra bottle for the fridge, feed one or two feedings, and then when the cramping got bad enough I wanted to take something again, I'd fill him up, pop another vicodin. This way I could alternate b/w nursing and the pumped milk, so he was still getting some boob time, but wouldn't get any drugs. Just meant taking pain pills every 8-12 hours instead of 4-6, and I'd deal with the mild pain.
I think 6 weeks might be very difficult time to go into surgery and start over a whole new recovery, but if it's necessary, it wouldn't be the end of the world. You want time to bond with baby, adjust to the new schedule and sleep habits. 6 weeks is usually still a very trying time in that adjustment. I have 3 children, and I would say from my experience, if I had to plan it, I would shoot for maybe around 10 weeks. That way nursing is well established, you'd likely be past any colic, if your baby has problems with that (my first two did not, so when my last one did, I was thrown for a loop, and the first 2 1/2 months were TOUGH - we were sleep deprived and worn down!). You'd hate to go through surgery, and be in pain, and drugged up, but having a baby that wakes up screaming throughout the night still!
Althoguh you never know what each baby will be like, I think that most babies and parents start to really get well adjusted around 3 months. I think there's still too much that y'al are learning about each other at 6 weeks.
That said, I don't know the details of your situation, and to be a good mommy, you've got to be strong and alive!! So, of course, if it were necessary to do it that quickly, then by all means, do it! Since you're not yet pregnant though, i'm assuming it's not an emergency and they're not concerned about a fast progression.
Thanks so much for the info. Lots to think about.
I've just undergone a radical hysterectomy due to cervical adenocarcinoma. This was discovered as my cargivers were trying to induce labour (I was 13 days overdue) and they ended up doing a C-section after many differents attempts to dilate the cervix failed. They biopsied what they thought was scar tissue on the cervix and discovered that it was actually a malignant tumor. We were given the diagnosis the day after we came home from the hospital...talk about the highs and lows after childbirth!
On March 4th I flew from my hometown to a large centre well known for it's cancer centre - very inspiring but also 500 km. away! I was lucky enough to have my husband and my best girlfriend by my side - my hubby was able to be with my while my friend looked after our 5.5 week old baby girl (who's healthy as a horse btw!). I pumped what I could ahead of time and we had to give her formula for the time while I was influenced by general anesthetic and then narcotic pain relievers. I pumped and dumped to keep up supplies and as soon as I could and nursed her again when they gave the O.K.
They had hoped to use the cesarean incision but ended up having to make a midline cut since my uterus was still quite large (this is my third pregnancy-the other two are 3 1/2 and 19 months...thank goodness for grandparents). I'm recovering slowly -easier to move now than with the c-section but more achy because of all the lymph nodes removed.
So good to find a site were there are others with similar situations. Hope all goes well with you - any other questions, just let me know!
I am reposting this as when I posted back in February I wasn't pregnant. I am now 20 weeks and will have a hysterectomy 8 weeks post-partum using the DaVinci robot.
If anyone has any similar experiences after childbirth as to how you managed, I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you.
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