A new study shows that the women who have had cancer prior to pregnancy have greater risk of labor complcations including preterm labor.
The October 2007 issue of the Green Journal has publlished a new study that looks at the effect of cancer on the outcomes of childbirth.
In a 25 year study, over 6,000 mothers in Scottish maternity hospitals participated. This group consisted of mothers who had a first pregnancy between 1980 and 2005 and included women who had a history of cancer as well as those who did not.
The cancer survivors had a statistically higher chance of postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean birth, instrumental delivery (forceps or vacuum extraction used) as well as preterm birth.
Reseachers conclude that "while largely reassuring to women intending to become pregnant after surviving cancer, the results indicate areas of increased risk that require additional surveillance."
Brenda
