When should I have surgery to remove this cyst?

[k4t]

Have you asked your doctor whether you can put off having the cyst removed for 6 months postpartum? And can they do the cystectomy keyhole rather than open? I'd go with the VBAC but that's just me.

[JLeigh29]

Thank you so much for your replies. And support.

After seeing the ob, it seemed logical to have a CS and remove the cysts, but the more I thought about it..... They're causing no hassle, they're simple cysts, and I Want My VBAC! Surgery for surgery's sake seems stupid to me. DH worries that they'll suddenly turn cancerous, or that it'll end up being expensive to manage (with out of pocket expenses), and he worries because I don't react too well to anaesthetic.

But I worry I'll have 6 weeks of pain, won't be able to pick Bub up for weeks after, wont be able to walk properly for weeks, will feel physically drained for months (above and beyond what Avignon a newborn will do) like with my last CS. I know a planned CS is different, but I really want a chance to birth my Bub my way!

After posting last night, DH and I chatted and agreed to talk to the ob again and ask him if there's a reason the cysts need to be removed at or soon after birth.

As for keyhole surgery, the ob said that's what they'd do if I had the op later, and go from there (if they can't remove it all, or if its growing into the ovary, there's always a chance they'll have to do open surgery).

Any other perspectives?

[Arimeh]

I haven't had personal experience with a cyst, however a friend of mine was pregnant with her 4th and had a pretty big cyst. It was discussed throughout her whole pregnancy that she would need a c-section (and she had had 3 normal vaginal births previously so didn't really want one). She went into labour, and gave birth completely without any issues.

6 weeks later she had to go into hospital and have the cyst taken out because it was causing her pain. It had twisted her ovary or something? So they took it out with keyhole surgery. I don't think her recovery was very long or painful - unlike what a c-section would be.

Its still early days so if it was me in your position, I wouldn't make a decision either way until way into the third trimester

[JLeigh29]

Thanks Arimeh. I'm hoping to leave it as long as possible while still allowing time for DH to organise time off work and Mum to get flights over (can get pretty $xxxy around Christmas). Do you know if the surgery caused problems with your friend breast feeding? Was Bub allowed in hospital with her?

[JLeigh29]

Just saw this thread and thought I'd update for anyone who might want some info in the future...

I decided not to make a decision for as long as possible...at least until after my 20 week scan. So, I was feeling quite anxious about my scan. As it turned out, there was absolutely nothing to worry about. The cyst had shrunk right down until it was barely visible. The 'fibroid' they found on the 12 week scan wasn't present at all - the specialist thinks it was a contraction at my 12 week scan as thy can mimic fibroids.

So, at 27.5 weeks, I am confident that there's nothing stopping me from VBACing this Bub!