This sheet is about exposure to the HPV vaccine in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers. What is HPV? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common infection that is transmitted by skin-to-skin sexual contact. HPV is not just one virus. There are over 200 different kinds of HPV. It is thought that at least half of all people who are sexually active have been exposed to at least one type of …
The Baby Blog: Cancer
Screening Your Sunscreen During Pregnancy
As the famous song croons, “Summertime and the living is easy…." Summer is finally here! COVID-19 has interfered with outdoor gatherings, but people are starting to venture out…with good social distancing, of course! Outdoor activities mean more sun exposure, and healthcare providers recommend protecting your skin from the sun. These recommendations stem from concerns that the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays can damage the skin and increase the risk for skin cancer and early aging. Studies show that …
Cancer Diagnosis in Pregnancy: You Have Options
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine who is in her second trimester of pregnancy, called me in a panic. Due to her recent medical history, it was recommended that she get an MRI in addition to her yearly mammogram as a way to screen for breast cancer. She, like many women who have the same question, was relieved and grateful to get this information. She then asked, “do women get diagnosed with cancer in pregnancy? Can they be treated?” What We Know about Cancer in Pregnancy Yes, cancer …
Chemotherapy
This sheet talks about exposure to chemotherapy in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is a term that describes the use of medication to treat or control cancer by killing cancer cells. It is one of the most widely used methods to treat cancer, along with surgery and radiation treatment (radiotherapy). A chemotherapeutic drug can be given …
Thalidomide
This sheet talks about exposure to thalidomide in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is thalidomide? Thalidomide is a sedative that also changes the body's immune response and reduces the ability of the body to grow new blood vessels. Thalidomide was one of the first medications recognized to cause birth defects in humans. Thalidomide was not released in the United States until 1998. It …
