Remicade & Pregnacy X-post

Hi all,
I am posting this message here as well as on the crohn's board because folks with RA take remidace too.
I was advised to not get pregnant again after my last aggravated Crohn's Disease, which I didn't even know I had, though in hindsight, makes sense. i developed toxic megacolon and my colon was removed & the pregnacy terminated. Well, this pregnancy wasn't planned, but my crohn's has been in remission with my regular infusions of remicade, so here I am at 20 weeks and doing fine.
My qustion is for any who have used remicade while pregnant: were you able to have a vaginal birth. I came across a doctor who has a theory that because remicade is a TNF blocker and TNF helps the cervix ripen, more women who take remicasde have c-sections because the cervix is "uncooperative." This is a totally unproven theory, She has had 3 patients on remicade where it was difficult to even induce.
My other question is about breastfeeding since I am finding conflicting info on the internet and really hope to breastfeed.
Thank in advance.

To my knowledge, there isn't anyone on this forum that has ever taken remicade during pregnancy, but I do recall several people on the crohn's forum.  One lady had two successful pregnancies while on remicade.  I know for a fact that enbrel, another tnf-inhibitor, is a category b drug for pregnancy--safe, in other words.  Not sure about remicade.  The following website gives great information about drugs during pregnancy, and breastfeeding.  There's not a whole of info. about remicade, though.  Go with your GI and OB's opinions.  You may note that according to the following website, remicade is a category C drug, and not recommended during pregnancy.  However, I have met several women who have taken remicade during pregnancy--I believe cd is one of those conditions where the benefits outweigh the risks.

http://www.safefetus.com/Search.asp

Camama is right about breastfeeding.  I think it's wonderful that you want to breastfeed.  If it doesn't work out, though, whether it's due to medication or other factors, don't beat yourself over it.  Not worth it.  I wanted to breastfeed my twin girls, and actually managed to last 6 weeks, but couldn't continue.  Several friends made rather nasty comments to me; I had criticism coming from all directions.  I had even read articles that not only quoted the benefits of breastfeeding over formula, but actually implied that if you don't breastfeed you are abusing your baby!  It's largely a personal decision, and sometimes the decision is actually taken out of our hands.  My girls spent their entire first year on formula.  They are very healthy--rarely get sick--no allergies--no weird immune system function, or anything else people try to tell you when you don't breastfeed.

I honestly don't know about c-sections and the use of tnf-inhibitors.  That sounds like it's just your doctor's theory, and she is basing it on only 3 patients?  It may be what she's comfortable with, but if you're not comfortable with it consider finding a doctor who will allow you to try a natural delivery.  C-sections aren't all that bad; because I had twins, I had my choice of a natural delivery or a c-section.  I chose to try natural, and after 21 hours of labor, ended up with a c-section.  Recovery time is slower, but I bounced back with no problems at all.  If I ever had another baby (which I won't but that's another story), I would choose a c-section again. 

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Elcamino