Crohn's: abdominal cramps/pains in pregnancy

Hi there,

I'm 15 and a half weeks pregnant and have Crohn's disease. I've had 3 or 4 'flare ups' over the last 15 weeks which basically involve really painful abdominal cramps that go on for a few days until i'm usually very sick for a few hours, and after that the pain starts to go away. Obviously it's really disconcerting having an incredible painful stomach while pregnant as i just can't help worrying that it's hurting the baby. The scan at 12 weeks seemed to show that everything was fine, but everytime i get painful again i start worrying. Am just wondering if anyone else out there who's pregnant with Crohn's is having these severe cramps and has been ok? People keep saying it's bad to have a flare up during pregnancy, but apart from the pain and the fact that i can't eat much when i feel bad, i'm wondering exactly how it affects the baby?

I don't have any diarrhea, just the pain and sickness. I've come down from 30mg to 15mg of Prednisolone, and my gastro specialist has recommended replacing the steroids with azathioprine and while i was nervous at first, lots of people on this forum seem to say they've been fine on this while pregnant so i feel better about starting it!

Hope that maybe you feel yucky because of pregnancy hormones. I had a minor flare in the 1st trimester with my 2nd and canasa did the trick in about a week. Otherwise I never flared until right after I had my babies. But I just wanted to let you know that I hope all goes well! My OB doctor always eased my fears by telling me I am not the only pregnant patient my GI doctor sees with crohns and that it is quite normal, meds and all to have a healthy baby.
Hang in there and Congratulations!
Sally

Welcome to this board and congratualtions of your pregnancy. I have crohn's colitis disease and i am 21 weeks pregnant , i just had my mid pregnancy scan, everthing is fine with my baby. I feel very healthy, no systoms of crohn's at all. I feel sorry that you are not feeling well, maybe you need to discuss with your doctor the possibility to change medication. I am on azathioprine drug 100mg a day, i did a lot research about this medication and the effects on pregnancy. This medication is safety for the baby and you as well. I hope you will get better soon, take care !!!!

I am 38 years old, this is my first pregnancy. I am on 100mg azathioprine, pregnancare and fish oil

Have you checked with your ob/gyn about medications? Best to make sure the baby's doctor is aware of the medications you are on and the ones that are being recommended. Remember, your gastroenterologist is not looking after your baby or your pregnancy.

I think pregnancy and lactation hormones tend to have a beneficial effect on disease activity, although individual cases vary. I hope that as the pregnancy progresses, your disease will settle down a bit. The pregnancy is probably considered high risk because you suffer from a chronic illness that affects nutritional status and with which there are increased dangers of abscess, fistula, perforation -- all things that could become medical emergencies, and that requires you to take medication.

Many, many women with crohn's disease have eventless pregnancies and deliver beautiful healthy children.

Enjoy your pregnancy. It is a very, very special time.