Pregnancy & Crohn's

Hello, I am a new to the forum which was recommended to me by a fellow coworker who also has Crohn's. I am 32 and was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1998. I have been on Pentasa, Prednisone and Immuran over the years. I am currently off all medication and am 6 weeks pregnant. I feel awful. I am constantly feeling nausea and cramping, and I find it incredibly difficult to eat. Though my body says I am hungry, I can't choke food down. Are there any suggestions to help me get through the next little while, particularly with food so I can be sure to nourish myself and my baby. Thank you very much.   Nalla

It's hard to tell at that point whether its your crohns or the morning sickness....best suggestion too is if the nausea is really getting to you there ARE completely safe pills to take, morning sickness ones and they work great, just ask your doctor. I used them for months otherwise I wouldn't of been able to work, keep down food or proper nourishment for baby. Without them I would of been like you, unable to eat. Also as an added suggestion, try Materna or such other prenatal supplement since our bodies don't always get the proper nourishment ourselves with the crohns, using something like that really helps too for baby.
Also, did you drop all your meds because of the pregnancy? alot of us, myself included make/made that mistake and even though for the pregnancy you might feel great because pregnancy seems to help alot of crohns ladies feel better afterwards you'll very much regret it when a flare kicks in. Remember that Imuran can take 4-6 months to work and if you stay off it all pregnancy then try to go back on afterwards you'll have ALL that time for a flare to get you and take you out of commission (which happened to me) and that really makes a bad situation when you are flaring and trying to care for a baby at once. Best is to go talk to your gastro AND obgyn and get opinions and get on proper meds to keep you safe and stable for the pregnancy....and yeah, crackers do wonders! easy snack and not hard on stomach

Nalla, Congrats on being pregnant! I agree with Lady G - it's hard to tell at this point if what you're feeling is pregnancy or crohn's related - or both! Eat whatever you can get down - all the standards have worked for me - toast, chicken noodle soup, crackers, gingerale. My OB always preferred for me to stay hydrated above all else. Even if you can't get food down you can hopefully get some liquids in. Can you drink Boost? Or any of the other breakfast/supplemental drinks? Even slim fast has vitamins and can sub for a meal if you're too nauseated.

I took all of my meds while pregnant and all 3 of my babies have been super healthy. We're trying for #4 (LAST ONE!) right now and I will continue to take my meds. Are you off meds by your own choice? Or is your GI on board with that too? I would make sure that your OB and GI are on the same page and that they are working together to help you.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Hang in there. It's probably just the pregnancy and will pass in a few weeks.

Stef

Oh btw - is the cramping uterine cramping or abdominal cramping? It is VERY normal to have uterine cramping at the beginning of your pregnancy.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those cramps, yes those can be natural to pregnancy too, feel like pms in a way, I got those too, wasn't comfortable but only happened a couple times.

For meds I find it REALLY depends on the doctor. My gastro and obgyn seemed to both say Imuran on pregnancy was tested and fine to use but I've heard others say different. I went off anyways but that as I said was a mistake I'm still paying for 7 months later. Talk to your doc, alot seem to have differing opinions on that matter they of course can help best.

I wish my nausea stopped at week 12, lol.....I was morning sick up until about 6 months or so.