AND...so, I did it. I did a preliminary search on Google to see what other ovarian cancer survivors have done to sustain their pregnancies. Ummmm, the results I got were astonishing, though not exactly comforting [just yet], mostly because there's still not much info available on this anomaly. What I did find was a recurring story of the world's first woman who becomes pregnant after a double ovary removal... dates for September 2013 in Australia!!!! WHAT???!!!!!!! NO other woman has ever become pregnant after having both ovaries removed? I am not sure I believe that. Because, then that means I may be woman number TWO in the world... Is that possible?
It turns out that the use of donor eggs in women who have had their ovaries removed wasn't medically introduced until 1983, in Australia. That's only 30 years ago! Even then, not much research was done to support evidence that this was a true possibility. It turns out that I am not the 2nd person on the planet who has TTC without ovaries, but either way there aren't many cases overall. So much so, that even Google---the world's most brilliant researcher (LOL)-- is stumped by my question.
Anyhow... after asking our nurse & doctor (which is what I should have done in the first place) this same question, we found out that beginning at around 7wks gestation, the placenta will begin to make the estrogen and progesterone required to support pregnancy all on its own. COOL!!! Prior to my discharge from our Center, they will wean me off our current estrogen & progesterone meds to make sure my levels are stable. If not stable by time for discharge, I will be sent to our OB on more oral estrogen and/or progesterone. The OB will tell me when to stop it until the beginning of the 2nd trimester.
It turns out that the use of donor eggs in women who have had their ovaries removed wasn't medically introduced until 1983, in Australia. That's only 30 years ago! Even then, not much research was done to support evidence that this was a true possibility. It turns out that I am not the 2nd person on the planet who has TTC without ovaries, but either way there aren't many cases overall. So much so, that even Google---the world's most brilliant researcher (LOL)-- is stumped by my question.
Anyhow... after asking our nurse & doctor (which is what I should have done in the first place) this same question, we found out that beginning at around 7wks gestation, the placenta will begin to make the estrogen and progesterone required to support pregnancy all on its own. COOL!!! Prior to my discharge from our Center, they will wean me off our current estrogen & progesterone meds to make sure my levels are stable. If not stable by time for discharge, I will be sent to our OB on more oral estrogen and/or progesterone. The OB will tell me when to stop it until the beginning of the 2nd trimester.
SO that's that... all's well that ends well. It would have been nice if I was possibly number 2, but for now I will settle on having the ability to get to the finish line. The body is definitely a fascinating machine. More info soon......
Most recent birth case (2013):
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/03/woman-pregnant-after-ovaries-removed-breakthrough
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/06/woman-pregnant-no-ovaries_n_3867239.html
No comments:
Post a Comment