11 weeks pregnant and husband getting chemo

Hello everyone, I'm 12 weeks pregnant next week and just found out my husband has to undergo chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy. He's abroad at the moment being treated, has anyone been in my situation, will there be a risk to our baby? I just want to get out to him and care for him asap but he won't let me until I'm told its safe (I will be contacting my doctor and midwife to make sure but wanted to know if anyone's been through similar) 

Thank you Laura xxx

  • Hi Laura,

    Welcome to this forum allthough I am so sorry to read about your husband. I am not a medical person but I had 37 radiotherapy treatments for prostate cancer and I can tell you there is no risk to you at all from your husbands radiotherapy. I dont think there should be a risk to your unborn baby either but please call the nurses on this forum as they are very helpful and knowlegable.

    It must be so hard for you not being able to be there for him. I wish  you both all the best and please keep in contact, Brian.

  • Hi Laura

    Welcome and thanks for your post. Lucy one of our moderators asked us to reply to you.

    I was sorry to read about your husband’s situation. This must be a difficult time for you both.

    Many people worry about the safety of being around a loved one undergoing cancer treatment when they are pregnant, and ask if they should avoid contact with them. This really only applies to a particular type of radiotherapy (internal radiotherapy), where the person is radioactive for a short while and they would have to take special precautions which would be given to them at the hospital. If your husband is going to have external radiotherapy this will not make him radioactive and he will not give off radiation in any way, so it is safe for him to be in contact with other people, including you and your unborn child. It is also safe for you to be around your husband when he is having chemotherapy.

    I hope this information is helpful. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and  I hope that your husband’s treatment goes well.  If you have further questions please do contact us again.  If you would prefer to speak to one of the nurses directly, you can telephone us on 0808 800 4040.  We are here from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

    Best wishes,

    Celene