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crohn's disease and pregnancy

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/10/2008 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am 21 weeks pregnant and have startine having diarhea since Sunday, today is Thursday. Has anyone gotten sick while pregant. What was the outcome. I am very afraid for the baby. I feel fine otherwise.
Posted 4/10/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I had a flare up pretty much throughout my pregnancy. I was on Imuran, and I was still sick all of the time. I didn't have D, I stayed constipated. I had more nausea/vomiting than anything. I had a hard time gaining weight, so I was constantly worried about the baby getting enough nutrition. I worried so much when I was pregnant.

My daughter was born just fine. I still continued to flare on/off for the next 1 1/2 years. It wasn't until I started Humira late last year when I finally had more steady relief from the symptoms.

I hope your pregnancy goes better than mine! It was worth it to me b/c my daughter was born just fine, but I am scared of getting pregnant again. I really don't want to go through that again any time soon!
Posted 4/10/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I too was flaring during my second pregnancy (didn't get CD until a yr after my first pregnancy) and although I was flaring (have been to some degree since I got DX/sick 17 yrs ago) I still had a great pregnancy, as good as the first without CD and had a large (8lbs 3oz) baby boy and healthy too...so don't stress, cuz that's not good for you especially during pregnancy, take each day as it comes and rest, rest, rest just before you get tired....think positive, concentrate on the baby/pregnancy more so than the CD.

Congratulations :)
Posted 4/10/2008 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Holy Cow! I too, flared during my 2nd pregnancy! I had to have a sigmoid and was put on canasa and was taking asacol throughout pregnancy. I had more of the bleeding mucus and constipation with periodical diarhea. In the first trimester I was worried and would call and stop on my way home from work for a heartbeat check with no problems! (I miscarried our first so was paranoid anyway) Although it was not really that bad of a flare I didn't really feel well until the last trimester! And guess what? I had Luke and he weighed 7# 9oz the biggest baby I have had! And he was totally 100% healthy and still is and let me tell you I felt HORRIBLE for the first year after he was born! And then felt horrible for another 6 months after nursing him for a year! But the important thing is that no matter how bad I felt he was always so healthy! I finally started feeling well after taking 6mp.
See your doctors (ob and gi) to relieve your stress! that is what they are there for!
Congratulations and I hope everything goes well for you!
Posted 4/11/2008 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Please trust that your physicians will help you through this and your baby will be healthy & happy. I know because I trusted my Doctors with my life and my sons life.
I was sick with crohn's for most of 1982 with my GP and the hospital he was affiliated with telling me I had "food poisoning"," ovarian cysts", and the worst of all "ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD"' diagnoses. I became pregnant in May of 83 and was hospitalized at 5 months pregnant for weight loss and Keytones being very elevated. My OBGYN called in other doctors and they decided to do a SBFT because of the constant vomiting and diarrheal. They saw an obstruction but had no idea what was causing it. I ended up having exploratory surgery and that was when crohn's disease was DX'd they removed the band causing obstruction and thought I might be okay with just that however 2 months later at 7 months I ended up having the first resection done. Through all of this I was able to deliver a healthy baby boy.
You can never imagine how hard the choice was for me to have surgery. But in the end I trusted that the Doctors had my health and my baby's health first and foremost in mind.
My second and third pregnancy's I had active crohn's but managed to just take a short prednisone course to get me through and also immodium.
My case was extreme to be sure and it was years ago, so much has advanced since then. I know your Doctors will make the right decisions to ensure your's and your baby's health. Talk with your OB and make sure they know your concerns etc. Maybe just a change in your diet will help you through the rough times.
Hope you feel better soon!!!!
Posted 4/11/2008 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I made the stupid mistake of going off my meds when I got pregnant, because I didn't want to pass them to my son. I ended up flaring around 21 weeks or so also. I was in the hospital because I lost so much blood and ended up having to go on prednisone (which ironically is way more dangerous to take during pregnancy than if I had just stayed on the Asacol). The prednisone took care of my flare, and I had a perfectly normal labor and delivery. Just watch yourself with breastfeeding. I know they say that stress doesn't play a factor in Crohn's, but breastfeeding can take a toll on your body and for me I ended up with the worst flare of my life around 5 months post-partum. I had to wean to go on prednisone.
Posted 4/11/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, by the way, my son is perfectly healthy and happy. No effects that we know of from the medication and is hitting all of his developmental milestones. :)
Posted 4/11/2008 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Stress actually can worsen symptoms of crohns, they know it does for sure with UC...I was told by an excellent colon and rectom surgeon yrs ago when I first got sick with crohns to try and keep my life as stress-free as possible...of course easier said than done.

:)
Posted 4/11/2008 4:46 PM (GMT 0)

I had a pretty good pregnancy, I had diarrhea but no major flares. I took my asacol during pregnancy and my son was born healthy and 7lbs 11 oz. a bit smaller than my previouse 9lb son but still a good weight and very healthy. He really started packing on the weight after he was born. He is now 6 months old and wieghs over 18lbs. My biggest suggestion would be that if you are planning on nursing to please make sure you get your baby to take formula even if it's only one bottle a day or even a week. I started getting sick again in January and decided to try to tough it out since you aren't allowed to take steroids or most other Crohn's meds while nursing. I finally gave up because I have been so miserable and in so much pain. The doctor wants me to go back on the Entocort and I am finally desperate enough to do it but my son refuses to take the formula.

Good luck with your pregnancy, and don't worry, I am sure your baby will be perfect and beautiful. Stress only makes it worse.

Posted 4/11/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have a 5 month old son, born in November. I had a terrible flare during my 5th week and was in the hospital with terrible D.  I have had very little luck with most meds so was put on Prednisone. I was very nervous about it but was told many studies have shown very little passes through the placenta.  My son was born perfectly health and I felt great for my entire pregnancy.

Best of luck

Posted 4/12/2008 12:29 AM (GMT 0)

During my 1st pregnancy my CD went into remission BUT with pregnancy #2 I flared BAD!!!  my Dr told me that I was flaring so bad that it could cause preterm labor so I went back on Remicade (I stopped when I found out I was pregnant). I was 21 weeks and i was sick, sick, sick.  My biggest problem was that I had steriod induced diabe*** so when I got pregnant I immediately had diabe*** again.  By 19 weeks i was on 2 insulin shots a day and an oral medication.

My baby was born last May (he is almost 1 - where did the year go?) - it was a planned C-Section for other reasons and my gastro was concerned but knew it was for the best and everyone was VERY careful but because of the diabe*** he was very large (11lbs 10ozs) and he was in the NICU for 8 days and the Pediatric Unit for another 4 days.  I want to say this NONE OF HIS HEALTH PROBLEMS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY CROHN'S.

He is very healthy today and shows no effects from my taking Remicade or Azasan.  Just talk to your Dr's and tell them everything you are feeling.

Good Luck!

Michelle

Posted 4/14/2008 4:57 PM (GMT 0)

I posted the same question in around December when I was about 5 weeks pregnant.  I am so thankful for all of the input women have posted so far because it sure reassures me that there have been successful pregnancies with active disease.  I actually had a bad flare around my 5th week and had to start prednisone and Humira.  I ended up having to go on disability because I was so sick.  I unfortunately miscarried around 10 weeks, which was so devastating. sad But I do want to try again, because I don't want this disease to control me. Hopefully the father will still like to try again with me. sad Just be sure you are in constant contact with your GI doctor and OBGYN and perinatal doctor too, if you have one.  Good luck and congratulations! :-)   Wish me luck too!

Posted 4/14/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
missyjack, I am so sorry for your loss.

To the other ladies, thank you for sharing your stories. We are TTC right now and I'm determined to have a normal pregnancy if I can.
Posted 4/16/2008 5:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Girls, i just came across this post and wanted to put in my two cents.

I have UC, not CD, so keep that in mind to.

After 4yrs of ttc and many tests, we sought fertility help (i had no uc symptoms during this time and was not dx yet). I had suffered many early losses and chemical pg's over those 4yrs. We finally got pg and it was rough from the get go. (tho nothing related to uc) I started having preterm labor and was put on hospital bedrest for 6 long weeks. about two weeks before delivery (preterm at 33wks), i started having my first ever UC flare. I didn't mention it due to all the drugs i was already on and didn't want more testing while pg...after birth, baby was in NICU for 3wks, and during that time, my flare got worse. Got baby home and just wanted to enjoy my baby so i did not go to a doctor till i was pouring out blood close to 10x a day. Got my dx of uc, and started meds. Nothing worked so i ended up on 6mp.

Fast forward nearly 4yrs. We decided to try for our second. i had been in remission for a yr, but had to self inject fertiltiy meds, and i guess the stress from that or the pg hormones caused me to flare right when i got pg. I continued on my6mp. I started having preterm labor issues early (about 16wks w/ contractions and started meds to combat that). I went on pred , 40mg and then tapered to 10mg and remained at 10mg until it looked like i really might have the baby at 25wks. I decided to stop 6mp so i could try to breastfeed, which was important if i had another preemie. I delivered at 34wks w/ longterm bedrest, ect...

I wanted to share my story of pg before and after uc. For the poster who had a loss, im very sorry, and please know that it can be done...

good luck to all of you! shannon

Posted 5/7/2008 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 12 weeks pregnant with my third child.  I had a re-section (the obstetrician stayed in the operating room with me) and continued my pregnancy with no adverse affects.  My baby was born healthy and beautiful.  It's now fifteen years later and my "baby" is 14, taller than I am, handsome and just perfect.  My crohn's is still here but I'm on Questran now to control the diarhhea.  I thought you would like to hear a successful pregnancy story.  All 3 of my children are miracles but my last was truly the biggest miracle of all!  Good luck and don't worry - your baby should be fine.
Posted 5/24/2008 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 26 and I was diagnosed with Crohn's in October of 2007. I have an absess that's been drained twice now, it still drains on a daily basis, which is so annoying! But I just found out that i'm 5 weeks pregnant! i'm so excited, but so scared! This whole disease is so new to me that i'm not sure what to expect. I've been on Remicade for a few months now, i'm not even really sure what it's supposed to be doing?! But I know that i've been having really bad abdominal pains lately, I don't know if it's just from being pregnant, or is something wrong!? My boyfriend didn't even think he could have kids, so this is such a blessing! We would be absolutely devistated if anything happened. This is my first baby :) I havn't been to the Dr yet because I just started a new job and my insurance doesn't kick in until around the second week of June. I was a smoker and I stopped the minute I found out. I'll take ANY advice anyone is willing to give us!
Posted 5/24/2008 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
My son was 2 in Feb. and I had problems in the first Trimester only. After I got over the hump I actually felt the best I have
ever felt while pregnant. about a month after he was born is when I started having problems though. And I had him
c-section so I was surprised.
Posted 5/24/2008 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that you attribute your flare to breastfeeding, but many, many women not only breastfeed, but actually believe that developing a natural nursing relationship significantly reduced the stress of being a new mom and contributed to continuing their pregnancy-induced remission. I was diagnosed three months after my third baby was born and chose to delay medication for well over a year until my daughter weaned herself.

The key is to be able to prioritize. IN the first couple of months, I focused on establishing a nursing relationship. I slept when she slept and was available for her to nurse whenever she wanted to nurse. After a couple of months the milk supply was firmly established and it was so easy! The hormones stimulated by nursing are anti-stress hormones. Nursing actually creates a natural release of tension.

What it also did for me was to create a sense of strength and empowerment that I have called upon over and over again in the last 30 years. Nursing gave my the daughter the best start in life, but I also believe it gave me the best start as a mother.

It is an individual choice that each mother should make within the context of her personal circumstances. I always find it unfortunate that our culture undermines attempts to breastfeed. I mean marriage can be very stressful too, but no one would ever suggest that a crohn's patient not get married.
Posted 5/26/2008 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone, I have Crohns and am always interested in reading about what pregnancy can be like with the disease. Can I ask, has anyone had any issues with falling pregnant in the first place.Are there any particular interferences I should know about.
Posted 6/2/2008 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone! I am so glad I stumbled upon this forum during my research! Ya'll have helped ease my worries a little. I am 23 years old and was diagnosed w/UC in March when I was 19. By July, my GI doc changed my diagnosis to Crohn's. I have been married for almost 2 years now and just found out I am 5 mo pregnant. This pregnancy was not planned, but I want my baby to be as healthy as can be. My husband is worried because I'm having a flair right now. I have regular appointments w/my GI doc and I have beed seeing the same OBGYN since I was 18, so she knows all about me. I am still taking by Lialda and I started taking a Prenatal Vit when I found out I was pregnant. I appreciate all that ya'll have said up here and I will be checking back freqently for more advice!
Posted 6/5/2008 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
I've had Crohn's for 13 years, and I am on my second baby. 10 wks. I feel so much better when I'm pregnant. I also have an ostomy. I'm sure you'll do great. Drink pedialyte! It always helped my diarrhea, and I'm pretty sure you can drink it even if you're pregnant, but check with your doc. Good luck!
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