Not every little thing is about the babies, but then again it does kind of all come back to the babies when women get pregnant. And one of those things is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. Yes it’s small. Yes it’s important and yes it can lead to pregnancy problems like miscarriages, preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage.

Joan Shey, founder of Light of Life Foundation said she had to fight for an ultrasound for almost two years before finding out that she had thyroid cancer in 1995.  Now she’s pushing to make sure others have information at their fingertips to know what to expect and what to insist upon before it’s too late. And from what she’s saying, it’s not that uncommon for people to receive a thyroid cancer diagnosis and be told they have the “good cancer.”

But enough of the dire forewarnings. Let’s just say your thyroid gland is worth taking care of and having checked if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant… or just want to live a healthy, fulfilling life. 

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Light of Life Foundation offers an online support group for people with thyroid cancer.