Can a Pregnant Woman Go Near Someone Having Chemo

08-23-2008, 11:27 AM

Cancer's not contagious, so I can't imagine why it would be a concern. Both you and the cancer patient have a suppressed immune system, so just being around ANYONE can potentially cause problems because other people can introduce new germs to the patient or pregnant woman.

I'd be more worried about the stress of dealing with your MIL's illness at a time when you are more stressed anyway.

Best of luck to you and your family.

08-23-2008, 12:02 PM

I think your worries are more towards a newborn getting the side effects of chemo drug from someone who had chemotheraphy.

Patients who had chemotherapy can not pass the side effect of the drug to somebody else. Of course, no body fluid contact. Radiation is a different thing. Brachytherapy or implanted radiation therapy is radioactive for 24-48 hours and pregnant women should not be around them. Patients are usually isolated. But this therapy is usually for prostate cancer patients. So, this wont apply to your MIL

I think you should worry about your MIL contracting germs once her chemo has started because her immune system would be very very low to combat infection that we normally ignore. I hope that helps.

09:34 PM

my dad passed away a year ago from stage iv melanoma. he was going through biochemotherapy around thanksgiving and christmas and my sister in law was pregnant then (due around christmas time), and that never stopped her from coming around, and her baby was perfectly healthy.... then after the baby was born, my dad went through other various types of chemo and my SIL brought her baby over all the time with no negative effects. i believe it depends on what type of chemo your MIL is getting and if you have any actual contact with her chemo drugs. some chemo drugs can be very dangerous to anyone who come in contact with them so you have to be extremely cautious around those types of chemo drugs. as long as you aren't actually handling the chemo drugs, you should be just fine. i'd say if you're worried, your best bet would be to ask your MIL to find out from her doctor if you and your baby are safe or not.

also, as another poster mentioned, you do need to keep in mind that a chemo patient has literally no immune system, so you have to be careful to not about keeping sick germs away from your MIL (some pregnant women visit their ob in a regular doctors office, which can be crawling with all kinds of sick germs!!!).

last thing, i know it's hard being pregnant and all, but do what you can to be there for your husband. cancer is horrible and watching it happen to your parent is so devestating.... especially since he just lost a friend to cancer too. poor guy! my prayers are with you and your family.

12-08-2010, 02:23 PM

I think it depends on the cancer treatment! There are so many different kinds.

My mother was treated for Thyroid cancer with nucleor medicine & she had to be isolated from everyone at the beginning. We could visit her for for a short time but had to stay behind a lead barrier. She was told "no pregnant visitors" Even her luggage was "hot" for a certain time.

The staff were very careful to tell her just who could visit however- & for how long. I think if there was a real danger she would probably be warned- probably worth checking up on though for your peace of mind. You and your family are going through such a difficult time- my thoughts are with you!

Cockerill Arpher

Can a Pregnant Woman Go Near Someone Having Chemo

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