Tonsillectomy?

[Butane]

I just received my BFP 2 days ago at 9 dpo ^_^ Unfortunately I have just been scheduled for a tonsillectomy on the 15th of this month, the pre-op procedure doesn't require pregnancy testing and I am being told by my partner that I must get this surgery and to keep it hush hush from the doctors so they won't opt to not do my surgery (Which I am afraid to get ever more now).

All that happens to be running through my head is what the anesthesia could do to the baby, and from what I know could increase the risk of miscarriage at this early of stage.

Has anyone else had a tonsillectomy while pregnant? My partner says that it is no big deal to have this surgery while pregnant, is she right?

 

[stephwiggy]

you must NOT hide the pregnancy !! there is a cocktail of drugs used for the ananstetic and anyone of those could do harm .. i suggest you just let them know

 

[Butane]

That's what I thought. I really don't want this surgery because I know that all the drugs that they're going to give me to knock me out could cause any number of problems. My partner has tried reassuring me, saying they only will put me in twilight and not completely out but there's no way of knowing this until I actually have the surgery.

I know the statistics on miscarriage and it's heightened probability with anesthetics but I am in a position where I feel like I have no choice in this matter. I feel like my mind has been made up by my partner and my family (they're paying for my surgery).. I feel like everyone is speaking for ME while leaving me no room to speak for the little one that can't

 

[Emmea12uk]

I was due to have a tonsillectomy the day after my bfp! It was very quickly cancelled because of the inability to eat properly for weeks afterwards and the risks associated with the surgery.

I suffer from acute tonsillitis which I have had non stop for over 10 years. I figure why not wait another 12 months?

 

[Emmea12uk]

That's what I thought. I really don't want this surgery because I know that all the drugs that they're going to give me to knock me out could cause any number of problems. My partner has tried reassuring me, saying they only will put me in twilight and not completely out but there's no way of knowing this until I actually have the surgery.

I know the statistics on miscarriage and it's heightened probability with anesthetics but I am in a position where I feel like I have no choice in this matter. I feel like my mind has been made up by my partner and my family (they're paying for my surgery).. I feel like everyone is speaking for ME while leaving me no room to speak for the little one that can't

Put it this way, if you can't eat then you can't give nutrients to your baby and it is therefore at risk of being deformed or disabled. Particulary if you do not manage to take folic acid.

It would be silly to go ahead. I feel your disappointment because I was the same. But better safe than sorry.

 

[KandyKinz]

It's your body and your baby! So you're the one ultimately responsible in the decision whether or not to undergo surgery.... not your partner or family regardless of who's paying for it! I would definitly tell the doctors that you're pregnant though, even if they still go through with the surgery they'll ensure that the anesthetics and pain medications used are the safest ones for in pregnancy... that doesn't necessarily eliminate the risks but it will reduce them and they obviously cannot tailor to your pregnancy needs if they don't know... Also, as Emmea was saying for minor surgeries like tonsillectomies it can be best just to wait a year.

 

[Butane]

Thank you all for your replies. I cannot seem to find the words to explain my opposition properly without bringing a huge downfall to many things, with my opposition I feel like I have to make a choice between what I think is best and what everyone else expects of me. being one that hates confrontation can you guess which I chose?

 

[firstbabyOMG]

Unless your OH is the doctor performing the surgery than I would heed no other advice than an actual surgeon. You must let them know you're pregnant. If there is a danger to your NOT having the surgery than something might be worked out but that's between you & your physician to OH's liking or not.

IMO.

 

[gills26]

My DH works in an operating theatre and they would never operate on someone that is pregnant, even if the risks aren't known to cause problems. There is no guarentee your bub will be safe and what is worth that risk? I would never risk the health of the bub we have been blessed with for something that can definately wait. Also, I'm assuming the operation hasn't been paid for yet either? So does it matter that your family is paying for it - can't it just be postponed, payment and all?
I hope you manage to sort it out hun, big hugs to you xx

 

[LadyRoy]

I think your family is being totally stupid on this. How dare they put your baby at risk like that! Tell them to F OFF! you will never be able to live with yourself if it kills the baby and it will ruin your relationship with them.

 

[Emmea12uk]

It isn't likely to kill your baby - it is likely to damage it. Could you face your baby knowing you caused that damage??

 

[Blah11]

I very much doubt they'll put you under general anesthetic for a routine surgery.

 

[mrs whitehead]

dont do it!!!!! its not safe for your baby.i work in theatres. out is out, there is no half asleep. if they were only to half anaesthetise you you would feel pain. its bad that your husband thinks its ok to put yourself and your baby through that. dont do it!!! dont keep it a secret, they need to know. ok you wont have your op done now, but it will get done eventually, what would you rather have a healthy baby or no tonsils??

 

[natz123]

I had my tonsills out a few years ago and they took my temp and it was high so they made me do a Pregnancy test just to make sure i wasn't. They wouldn't have done that if there was no risk to my possible baby. This surgery is completely avoidable, i would postpone it. Even if you were to loose money i would rather loose money than my baby or cause any harm to my baby

 

[Kez79]

I can see this is quite an old post but for anyone reading this in the future, I think it would be helpful to know this. I had a tonsillectomy performed two months ago. A few days post op I found out that I was pregnant - it would of been too early to test for this before my operation.

I knew there was a small chance I could of been pregnant before I underwent the surgery, and had I known what I know now I would never of taken the risk. Tonsillectomy recovery is extremely painful, once I knew I was pregnant I had to drop most of my pain killing medications which made it excruciating.The pain is so intense (yes worse than child birth) and eating for about 10 days was all but impossible.

Then bang on cue, as soon as I could swallow small amounts again the morning sickness started. I have barely been able to keep a thing in for the past 8 weeks and my sense of taste has been left utterly distorted. In the past 2 months I have lost over 10kg (22lbs) and I'm now being threatened with readmission to hospital because I'm struggling to keep in even fluids.

Had I taken the simple precaution of delaying my surgery I'd be in a much better place now I'm sure. I'm being reassured that the baby should be fine from the general anaesthetic, although had they known, the ENT surgeon said he wouldn't have undertaken - repeated tonsillitis is painful but NOTHING compared to what I have now been through and potential danger to my baby. Always seek a doctors advice but think about the carry on risk to your health and ability to carry a child - pregnancy is not easy without added complications.

I hope this helps anyone needing to make a similar decision.