Is chemotherapy safe in pregnancy?

The safest approach depends on the cancer type, stage, treatment goal, pregnancy stage and the medicines being considered. Some treatments can interfere with fetal development, particularly early in pregnancy, while delaying cancer treatment may also carry risks. A medical oncologist and an obstetric team with experience in high-risk pregnancy can weigh these factors together.

The plan may involve treatment during part of pregnancy, a different medicine, close fetal assessment, or postponing a treatment until after delivery. Some cancer treatments are avoided during pregnancy, and breastfeeding may need to pause or stop with certain medicines. Do not stop prescribed treatment or take a supplement without discussing it with the treating teams.

Tell every clinician involved that you are pregnant or might be pregnant, including before scans, procedures and new medicines. Bring the date of your last menstrual period and any pregnancy records. Ask how treatment timing affects antenatal visits, nutrition, nausea control, infection precautions and delivery planning. Keep all oncology and obstetric appointments so the cancer and pregnancy can be followed together.

Seek urgent advice for fever, chills, shortness of breath, uncontrolled vomiting, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fluid leakage, reduced fetal movement after you have been told how to monitor it, or signs of an allergic reaction during treatment. Emergency help is needed for collapse, severe breathing difficulty or heavy bleeding. Use the emergency number and instructions given by your maternity and oncology teams.

Ask why a particular medicine is recommended, which treatment periods are acceptable in pregnancy, how the baby will be monitored, and whether delivery timing may change. Ask about fertility, breastfeeding, contraception during treatment, infection precautions and who to call outside clinic hours.