New mum, 38, dies from cancer after refusing debilitating treatment while pregnant to save life of her baby
A NEW mum has tragically died from cancer after being given a heartbreaking choice to either save her own life or her unborn child.
Deborah Vanini refused to undergo treatment after she was handed a devastating ultimatum by doctors who said the medication would likely kill the fetus.
The selfless 38-year-old was told she was pregnant on the same day she found out she had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
Doctors told Deborah the disease had already spread to a point where she would need an “avalanche” of medication.
This amount of life-saving tablets she required would have killed her unborn baby when it was still the womb.
The woman from Como, Italy, made the brave decision to refuse to go through with the debilitating treatment.
A move that meant her daughter could be born safely and live her life.
The heroic mum gave birth to little Megan alongside her partner Massimo on September 18.
Megan was born prematurely at 35 weeks in a hospital in Milan.
She weighed just 4lb 3oz but doctors managed to successfully navigate the birth.
Deborah described the girl as a “miracle”.
She wrote on social media shortly after getting out of labour: “Welcome, little Meg. You may not know it yet, but you literally saved my life.
“We at least hoped to have a smooth delivery, but even here, life threw us a curveball.
“An unexpected premature birth, a pulmonary embolism, an emergency CT scan before delivery, the possibility that she might make it but not me.
“In short, it was like a film.”
She also described Massimo as “the true rock of my life”.
Deborah got to spend two happy months with Megan and Massimo as the completed family enjoyed their final few weeks together.
Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy’s Lombardy region, praised Deborah’s “extraordinary courage and love”.
She told local media: “These are acts of great love.
“A love so strong that a person is willing to give their own life to protect the child they’re carrying.
“We must take our hats off to such choices and mourn a woman who showed extraordinary courage and love.”
From the best news to the worst in 25 seconds flat
Deborah Vanini
Deborah owned a solarium and beauty salon and also worked as a dancer, according to her social media.
Last year she posted on social media about the day she was told about the cancer and pregnancy.
In a poignant message she said: “The day I found out I was pregnant, I also found out I had stage 4 cancer.
“A shock. I had a dream life until the day before. From the best news to the worst in 25 seconds flat.
“From the greatest joy to the most absolute despair. From ecstasy to the pains of hell.”
Back in April another brave mum made a similar impossible decision to not have chemotherapy in order to protect her unborn baby’s life.
Azzurra Carnelos was 33 years old and pregnant when she found out the breast cancer she thought she’d beaten had returned.
Chemo during pregnancy risks
Sometimes, cancer patients are required to start chemotherapy quickly to control the disease.
In this situation, a doctor may feel that it is best to end the pregnancy.
In early pregnancy, this might mean a termination while in the later stages this can mean might mean delivering the baby early.
Research shows that giving certain chemotherapy drugs after 14 weeks will not harm the baby.
During pregnancy, the placenta is like a barrier between the mum and the baby, according to Cancer Research.
Some drugs can pass through the placenta, and other drugs can’t.
The most up-to-date studies show that after 14 weeks, children exposed to chemotherapy don’t have any more problems than those who aren’t exposed.
The baby will have longer follow-ups to monitor their progress and check for any other possible risks.