Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Pregnancy and Hysterectomy

A good friend of mine was scheduled to have a hysterectomy in April, and she took a pregnancy test today which read 'positive'.  She's 40 a yr old single mother of 2, and wasn't trying to get pregnant... in fact she'd had so many problems getting pregnant with ther boys and had so many problems with her period in recent years that she assumed she couldn't get pregnant (bad assumption!).  

Regardless of what you or I would do in this situation, she is my friend, and I want to help her.  Can she still go ahead with the hysterectomy, or would she have to terminate the pregnancy first?
17 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I'm sorry if this isn't the correct forum for this thread. I only joined this site because it was advertised as a site for medical advice, but then I found they actually charge for it.  Based on the forum options I saw, this seemed the most appropriate one (didn't notice a hysterectomy forum, although the description for this forum did include GYN issues and hysterectomy). No more replies are needed.  Peace.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is my 2nd accidental pregancy and came at a really bad time.  I didn't think I could get pregnant and now have twice.    I have two older children and am not in a relationship with the father of this child I am carrying. The first one I terminated at 5 weeks with the abortion pill ru486.  I thought that there wasn't a child at that stage but I was very wrong.  My reaction to this abortion was near the point of becoming suicidal.  It ruined my life in a way that only people who have had an abortion can understand. I am going to give you a website that is politically neutral.  It is NOT a prolife site on abortion.  I would recommend that you have your friend read about PASS (Post Abortion Stress Syndrome)  before she considers abortion.  Her baby's heart is beating and she won't want any regrets.    http://www.afterabortion.com/        Please pass this information on to her.  I cried off and on all day for over 3 months after I did what I did.  It's not just emotional there are also physical issues from terminating a pregnancy.
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
I totally agree with Pamela.  I also am pro-choice, but this is a pretty sensitive topic, and this is probably not the best forum for it.  Please advise your friend to see her OB. And I do wish her well, it does not sound like her situation is an easy one. And Pam, you don't sound judgmental at all, it was good advice.
Helpful - 0
667409 tn?1309152183
I'm actually pro-choice...but I agree that this may not be the most informative OR supportive forum for this discussion. :-)

Tricia
Helpful - 0
480331 tn?1310403529
Without starting a big debate on the subject...may I suggest you post on the "Hysterectomy" forum on this website.  Most if not all of the women on this site are Pro-Life, and would have a very hard time understanding why a women would want to schedule a Hysterectomy knowingly while pregnant.  Is there any other reason other than the desire not to have anymore children to have a scheduled hysterectomy? Before some of you chime in and say that I'm judging...these types of posts rekindle very sensitive feelings to many, and knowing most of the women on this site have difficulty conceiving, let alone carrying a baby to term, this may not be the best place to discuss this issue.  Again, please try posting on the Hysterectomy forum, or, you can contact one of the doctors on the MedHelp Expert forum.  Thank you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My friend is self-employed so she has no major medical insurance at this time.  She didn't want to talk to her gyn about all this before she knew whether or not she HAS to tell her gyn about the pregnancy before the procedure.  Also, 2 women she knows work at her gyn office, and she really wants to keep the matter private.  

Even though the pills are more expensive than a procedure, she opted for the pills because in her mind she would be inducing her period as opposed to getting an abortion.  This is not the 'Plan B' morning-after pill; it's a series of 3 pills which can only be taken very early in pregnancy to induce a period.  The interesting thing is she went to the clinic yesterday, and they wouldn't give her the pills because it's TOO EARLY! Apparently the clinic has to get a 'before' ultrasound picture of the cells attached to the uterus, and yesterday they couldn't find them.  They did confirm her pregnancy, but told her that either the cells are still too small to be seen on ultrasound, or they are still traveling, so they want her to come back in 2 weeks!  This was completely devistating to her since the longer she waits the more developed the cells become, and, well, you know...
Helpful - 0
667409 tn?1309152183
I guess this all just seems a little odd...the pills you take to 'initiate a period"...aren't those usually used before implantation? Like within a week of unprotected sex? Also...if she had unprotected sex five weeks ago, she would be more like 7 weeks pregnant...which would then make her about 12-13 weeks pregnant in April when she's supposed to get a hysterectomy. That's past the point when many places will do an abortion, isn't it? Also...not sure what kind of insurance she has, but every insurance I've *ever* had would pay for pregnancy termination, whether medically necessary or not. And I know for sure that Medi-Cal pays for it...I'm assuming you're in CA, hence the "909" after your name. Anyway...the whole thing sounds a little strange.
Helpful - 0
760797 tn?1303264540
Babyprayers, there is no need to be shocked. I agree that she should see her dr. Since none of us know the reason for the hysterectomy, that is the best advice. I guess I was just stating the obvious though. Some women wouldn't get an abortion. This is a forum for women who want to be pg, I guess I was a little thrown off by the question. It seems obvious that she would need to speak with a dr.
Helpful - 0
178698 tn?1228774338
The insurance would pay for this type of termination of pregnancy.  It is considered medically necessary for her to have her hysterectomy.    Why can't she just call the GYN and talk to the nurse and see what kind of an issue/problem this presents for the hysterectomy?    They usually don't charge to talk to you on the phone.  Plus since it's her choice to terminate the pregnancy.  I'd ask about just going on with the hysterectomy.   That would take care of both issues at the same time.   However, I am not sure if they do it that way.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks everyone; I really appreciate your responses. She is only 5 wks pregnant... she took one of those pregnancy tests that tells you 5 days before you miss your period because she knew she had a birth control failure 5 weeks ago, and this week she was nauseous, tired and her breasts were engorged.  

She didn't want to go to her GYN first because she didn't want to alert him to the pregnancy until she knew that she would have to share that information.  She did speak to a counselor at a local PP clinic yesterday, and she has an appt with the clinic dr at 9:00 this morning; she's probably going to get the series of pills that will initiate her period.  The pills cost over $500, which is a lot of money to her, and she didn't want to spend that money plus paying for the hysterectomy if it wasn't necessary. She does have some health insurance, but nothing abortion-related would be covered unless it was medically necessary.
Helpful - 0
159063 tn?1247272817
I was shocked by  your comment, I feel if the women needs a hysterectomy, then an abortion should not be turned into an ethical choice, I know, I KNOW this is a huge debate and could become nasty, however perhaps NOT HAVING one could kill her.. really not an option in my opinion, but she should consult with MD
Helpful - 0
760797 tn?1303264540
Wow, I really would tell her to postpone the hysterectomy. She would have to get an abortion and many people don't agree with that, maybe she's against it herself. I would tell her to talk to her doctor. She will definitely have to mention this b/4 her surgery.
Good luck, I wish her the best.
Helpful - 0
178698 tn?1228774338
She really needs to discuss this with her GYN.    They can best advise her.  I'm thinking since they can do the hysterectomy on a cat with kittens, they may be able to do it with people too, but I'm not a physician.  I'd talk to the GYN..
Helpful - 0
667409 tn?1309152183
Does she have medical insurance? If not, she may be eligible for state insurance. Here in CA, it's Medi-Cal. Especially for the abortion part of it. She can also contact Planned Parenthood...many times they can refer you low or no-cost pregnancy termination. As for postponing the abortion...depending on how far along she is *now, she may be too far along to terminate in April, anyway. And, again, I'm fairly certain doctors wouldn't perform a hysterectomy on a currently pregnant woman.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks. She can't afford another baby or 2 procedures, but she doesn't know if the pregancy means she has to postpone the hysterectomy.
Helpful - 0
667409 tn?1309152183
Well, obviously a hysterectomy would end the pregnancy...but I doubt they would perform one on a pregnant woman. If she's not wanting the baby, she should get an abortion ASAP and go with the hysterectomy as scheduled.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am quite sure she would have to terminate.  the hysterectomy would terminate the pregnancy.  is she still wanting to go forward?  she can also schedule the hysterectomy after the full term birth of her child.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy 35 and Older Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.