Surgery During First Pregnancy

Hello all! I'm wanting to share my experience of under going surgery during my 16th week of pregnancy. To give you all some background, two weeks before I found out I was pregnant my OBGYN discovered I had an ovarian cyst. I was definitely taken by this news and instantly thought negative thoughts but my doctor reassured me that many women have these cysts and they are asymptomatic. Fast forward to week 4 or so of my pregnancy when I start to have intense weekly cramps in my left lower abdomen. I let my doctor know about these symptoms but they lined up with regular cramping one experience during pregnancy. I just bit my lip, slapped a heat pad on the area that hurt and dealt with the pain as it came. I recommend you don't do this and listen to your body and advocate for yourself. Week 15 brought the worst cramps and pain I'd ever experienced in my life. Long story short I was at work doubled over in pain on the floor for 3 hours when I finally decided I was not having regular pregnancy cramps and pains. I contacted my OB office and they had me come in later that day. After a physical exam and ultrasound and consult from 2 different OB's it was discovered that I actually had 2 ovarian cysts on my left ovary totally 17.5cm in length. That is huge in case anyone is wondering! My doctor broke the news to me that I needed to have surgery within the next 48 hours to remove them. Keeping them through my pregnancy was no longer feasible. So two days later I had a c-section surgery to have them removed. Due to the size was was unable to have laparoscopic surgery. I was given an epidural for pain and had an IV going as well. I've never had surgery before and this experience was very painful and traumatic for me but I got through it. Turns out I had a 3rd cyst hanging around on my left fallopian tube and that little guy was twisted and inflamed, it was most likely the cause of my pain. I'm happy to know everything has been removed and our baby is safe and healthy. Recovery has been a tough road, being pregnant and dealing with all those hormones and aches and pains has been insane. I made it and each day I feel a little better. I guess I really believe in the strength that women possess. Be brave mama's and expect the unexpected.