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Question for those that have been pregnant...

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/4/2010 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I am 21 weeks pregnant and was told I was in remission before we even started trying.  My biggest problem had always been constipation.  Had two resections for narrowing and scarring.  Now, I know that being pregnant can make you constipated, so I don't think that's a big deal.  I'm used to being in pain of some sort from my stomach area.  Just something I have gotten used to. I would have to think that I'm not the only one where this is the situation.  Question is...if the pain isn't digestive and it's actually the baby, will I be able to tell?  Is it worse, is it a different feeling?  I know nobody on a pregnancy forum would understand, hoping someone here may understand what I'm asking.  I just don't want to ignore something that I shouldn't.  
Posted 10/4/2010 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
It can be a tough one to distinguish. If you feel something you don't think is right then call your OB first, get checked and make sure baby is ok. Then you can also see your GI. a lot of my pain was the 'normal' stomach pain and then when I'd get braxton hicks or contractions it would make the pain worse. I cramped pretty much the entire time, but since I didn't bleed (other than from uti's) I was always ok and so was my daughter. I never really had a problem with constipation though and was in a flare going into pregnancy. I was always on my toes with that pregnancy. I don't think this really helps you much. Sorry :(
Posted 10/4/2010 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I have D instead of C and when i was preggers i had a lot of pain because of scar tissue from my bowel resection. I couldn't tell if it was serious or not on my first pregnancy so i made sure to tell my midwife every time i had pain so she could check it out. I wouldn't hesitate to phone your doctor/midwife if you have pain, better to be safe than sorry.
once u get into the 39th week and such and start having contractions, u will know the difference from that kind of pain from digestion pain tho...it's more up front and in the baby area then down in the bowels.

Hope that helps and hope someone else can help you further.
Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!
-Jeny
Posted 10/4/2010 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I think because you are aware of how your tummy feels, you will know the difference. I did. Because I was so aware of my tummy, I felt my daughter move very early. Even now, I can tell what each pain is compared to a different pain. Does your OB or GI know about your C problem? They might have some good suggestions for you. I agree with the others that if you do have pain, tell one or both of your doctors right away. My OB and PCP worked together and talked with each other all the time about me to make sure I was ok. I had a difficult pregnancy, but gave birth to a perfect little girl....who is now 18! BTW, she has absolutely no signs of Crohn's!
Posted 10/4/2010 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had two babies with crohns and both were fine.

As long as your GI knows you are preggers and your obstet knows you have crohns they should look after you well.

My GP told me 'don't worry about the baby - think of it like a parasite' ;P

If you have ever had a full obstruction with crohns then labour pains will be a doddle <grin>

all the best for a wonderful pregnancy!
Lesley
Posted 10/4/2010 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys! I feel fairly confident now that I will be able to tell the difference. I too was able to feel the baby move fairly early because I knew that what I was feeling was nothing that I had felt before, and I've felt a lot. My OB is clueless. He is a great doctor and I would never switch because it took me forever to find one I like, but I don't think he has ever had a patient with Crohns. I have seen a high risk doctor a couple of times, but he seems to be more worried about birth defects and stuff. I think I have a GI appt soon, so I will tell him about the pain and C. He will probably have something more productive to say than the other docs. He was the first one to tell me that I could go ahead and get pregnant but just know that it will be a C section because I've had a fistula.
Posted 10/4/2010 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there!!  I have an 11 month old, during my pregnancy I was so terribly constipated in my first and into my second trimester, my crohns wasnt the issue, when you are pregnant your body releases a hormone that actually slows down your digestive tract, which makes you more prone to constipation, and if you are already prone to const. it just might be worse for you during preg.  My doc. had me drink miralax, I think it helped a little, but as you get futher along your body adjust to pregnancy and the hormones and hopefully it will all balance out.  Drink lots of water, and exercise that always helps too, can't hurt..  As far as pains, is this your first pregnancy? It never hurts to call your doc. and just ask any questions you have about pain, I know its hard when you have something else going on in your body at the same time, is it the baby or my bowels??? Good luck with your pregnancy, I have 3 healthy girls, had 3 healthy pregnancies and was diagnosed with crohns way before they were even thought of..  I loved being pregnant, enjoy this time it goes by so fast..   If you ever question anything just call your doc.  Peace of mind is the best thing. 
Posted 10/4/2010 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I used to drink Miralax daily. I only stopped about a month ago. I had been dealing with constipation until labor day weekend then for some reason my bowels totally freaked out and I was going about ten times a day for about a week and a half. Then as quickly as it started, it stopped again and now I hurt because I'm so full and gassy. I guess I should start the miralax again.
Posted 10/4/2010 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
All my kids are adults now, but I had SOOO much constipation when I was pregnant with each of them. I had already been diagnosed with Crohns and at that point in time I could still eat salads, so I would eat a salad everyday so I would be able to go. Doc used to have me used Ducolax suppositories when I got too backed up. They worked but gave me BAD cramps. I am wondering if you might ask your doc if its okay to take stool softners. I suffer with more c than d and use them every night, becuz if I didn't I would be in a world of hurt, but of course I am not pregnant. But I like stool softners more than laxatives, as it seems all laxatives make me cramp too much, and the stool softners don't. Good luck~
Posted 10/5/2010 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
ok, now I have something more to say...lol.
i had a natural delivery even tho allllllll the doctors told me i had to have a c-sec because of my fistula surgery. i just wanted to share my story, i'm not saying that it's the right choice for you or anyone else.

I said 'heck no' to a c-sec because i was scrared of them, my mom almost died having me c-sec. anyway, i used perianal massage and prim rose oil (u can get them in capsules and u poke a whole in the capsule and put it in your vagina) every day after my 30th week. It softened everything up and i was able to stretch without any tears. I had two bouncin baby boys that way...the first one was 8lb 10oz and the second was 9lb 11oz. it was a huge risk for me and a commitment to doing it.

before doing any of it, u gotta have your doctor on board of course. i had a midwife and she knew i was stubborn about it.
Any way you have a baby it's a blessing and there's no wrong or right way to birth a baby....as long as it's healthy for both parties!

Good luck!
-Jeny
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