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Question regarding pregnancy & Remicade

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/1/2008 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
I'm successfully on Remicade and now 5 weeks pregnant.  My first OBGYN visit is next week, but I had a question for any of you who've had Remicade babies - were you able to breastfeed while still on Remicade?  If so (or if not), what was the reasoning your doctor gave you?
Posted 5/1/2008 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Stef17 is the lady to answer your questions. She's had a couple of Remi babies.

Congrats on the up coming little one!
Posted 5/1/2008 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
CONGRATS on your pregnancy!  I am 5 weeks pregnant too! Also on remicade. This is my 3rd remicade baby. YES - you CAN breastfeed on remicade. In basic terms the remicade molecule is thought to be too large to pass through to the milk.  I have breastfed both of my kids while on remicade 10mg/kg every 6 weeks. They are healthy kids.  Dr. Thomas Hale, leading expert in medications and mother's milk says this:

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/48/47806.html?1180705975

Based on this information, I feel perfectly comfortable nursing my babies while taking remicade.  My oldest just turned 4 and she's an intelligent, healthy kid. So, I would tell you to go for it.

Feel free to ask more questions if you want. I'm no expert, but I've been-there/done-that, so I'm happy to share my experiences.

Posted 5/1/2008 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you so much Stef17!  That is a relief and very helpful info.

This is my first and I'm amazed by the whole experience, but having had Crohn's for years has really prepared me for a lot of it - annoying health insurance issues, trying to get a doctor, watching what I eat, achiness, messed up sleeping...fun, fun!

Posted 5/1/2008 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Remicade my first two months of pregnancy. My doctor for some reason thought I should stop Remicade for the remainder of the prgnancy. I had a horrible 7 months of D and constant pain. I also developed a stomach ulcer that had me vomitting like crazy.. The only medication I took was Asacol which didn't work at all. The only great part about my pregnancy was the TRIPLETS I delivered at the end. One week after the triplets were born I was in the hospital for a crohn's related abcess. My recovery was very hard because I should have stayed on the Remicade. For those of you who are pregnant and on Remicade for crohn's, consider staying on it if your doctor says it is safe. You should be able to enjoy your entire pregnancy as well as being able to take care of your newborn after the pregnancy. Being off medication takes more time for recovery and getting crohn's back on track after delivery. Sorry for the long post!
Posted 5/2/2008 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Newlywed & Stef,

Congrats to both of you!
Posted 5/2/2008 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Stef17,

Even though you were on the remicade throughout the pregnancy without issues, did you have any kind of a flare right after the baby was born? I am 20 weeks with my second baby and on remicade - Doing great!!! My GI wants to see me 4 weeks before my due date to make sure we have a "plan" in place in case I flare after delivery. Apparently this is the time when I will be most at risk if something is going to cause issues. Just curious what your experience was. Thanks

Posted 5/2/2008 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
I flared after baby #1 was born, it happened at about 4 months after. It was BAD. I had no plan in place and got so sick that it took me well over a year to bounce back. I did NOT flare after baby #2 was born. I think it is VERY WISE to have a plan in place for "just in case". You never know how your body will deal when the hormones start to drop and you definitely want to be prepared. I would say don't be afraid, just PACE YOURSELF. I think it's FABULOUS that your GI is taking such a proactive approach.
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