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Getting pregnant with Crohns?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/14/2011 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
My husband and I are trying to conceive, but I'm in the middle of a flare-like event presumably caused by a reaction to new meds.

Just wondering if any women on here have had luck getting pregnant with crohns. Were you on any meds? Were you active or in remission? Any trends or misscarriage or infertility? Just trying to get an idea of what were in for here...
Posted 9/14/2011 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hello!

I was actively flaring when I got pregnant with my son. We got pregnant the first month we tried and it was a very healthy pregnancy... I actually went into temporary "remission" during those 9 months... it was awesome. I know, though that for some women, it can be the opposite. I wish you the best!
Posted 9/14/2011 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Can you try to get the flare under control a little more?

If women flare during pregnancy or are on certain meds, they are considered high risk. I flared during both pregnancies and almost miscarried with heavy bleeding. I was high risk and had to go to a special clinic. My first child struggled in utero and I had to have an emergency c-sec. In the end, however, it all turned out okay—miraculously.

I was on prednisone, pentasa, insulin (for gest. diabetes), probiotics, b12, vitamins, a strict CD healthy diet, and imuran (I think) for a short period, too.

We've had women here who've been on all different types of CD meds and had healthy babies.

Also, if you're trying to get pregnant, you should be taking maternity vitamins and make sure your iron and b12 are good.

Have you talked with your GI about the best medication for you to be on before you get pregnant?

Good luck!
Posted 9/14/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I was in a bad enough flare that I had recently come off pred and we started trying for our second baby (first baby was before CD and I quickly got pregnant with her) I became pregnant quickly with our second as well, since we had a boy the second time and I knew how easy it was for me to get pregnant and knowing I had CD I decided 2 kids was enough for me. So having IBD doesn't necessarily have anything to do with conceiving or hampering conception.

I was not on any meds during my pregnancy except for the odd time I had to use rectal meds...but nothing oral at all and my CD was still on the severe-moderate side so I was just glad it wasn't on the completely severe side.

Flares when pregnant can go into remission, stay the same or sometimes get worse (not very helpful info is it, but that's what they told me so I'm passing it on).

Good luck with everything!!
Posted 9/15/2011 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sickychicky. I don't have any information for you regarding you question, I just wanted to tell you that I love your name! Sickychicky! Very clever. I hope you feel better soon and that everything works out for you and your husband. ~skibum
Posted 9/15/2011 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the responses! I think I'm
Going to try to not be on medications, because at the time they seem to be making things worse. We'll see....hopefully it works out for us soon :)
Posted 9/15/2011 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Sickychicky they believe that its best for a pregnant mommy to be healthy before TTC. A healthy mom produces a healthy baby. We have had multiple ladies on this forum who were on meds from Pred, 6mp/Imuran, Pentasa, Remicade and even Humira. All had healthy happy babies, and most were able to avoid the flare that frequently happens after birth. Talk to your docs first before making the decision to be med free. Hugs!
Posted 9/15/2011 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
It is better for you and baby to be in remission when you conceive. I am expected my 3rd now. Each time I was in remission first. I've had healthy babies and easy pregnancies. Talk to your GI about meds that will work for you and are safe while you're pregnant and stay on them!

Good luck to you!
Posted 9/15/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
MissAnonymous -- we're due around the same time. I'm looking at mid May.
Posted 9/15/2011 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
It is definitely better if you can be in remission before you conceive...I was never able to get into remission and was severe-moderate when I conceived my son and he was still a healthy 8lb 3 oz baby....he's 18 yrs old now and so far, so good (touching wood he stays healthy).

My first baby before CD was a healthy 8lb 15oz baby (often the second baby is a lighter birth weight than the first) she's 21 now and has been dealing with tummy issues (DX as IBS) since she was 14 yrs old so as you can see it's not always the obvious that is true. It all boils down to the genetics as well...you can have a healthy baby even if you're not healthy and you can have an unhealthy baby even if you are healthy.
Posted 9/16/2011 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I actually went into full remission during my pregnancy and for over a year after that. I stopped taking my lialda when I found out I was pregnant though my GI dr said if I needed it I could go on it if I neeed it. She said if not I can hold out til the 2nd trimester. I did not take it again until after I had my son but only for a short time and went off it until this summer (my son was born aug 2010).

My ob/gyn was very concerned about delivery due to possible fistulas but everything worked out well.

My aunt who also has crohns also went into remission during her pregnancy and a few years after.
Posted 9/17/2011 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am opposite of everyone here. I was in remission and went into full flare during my pregnancy. Got pregnant August 2010, was due May 15th, had my son 3 weeks early, on the first day of my 37th week. No problems getting pregnant although he was small only 6 lbs 6 oz (i'm 5'10 and my husband is 6'5"). Took Pentasa during pregnancy with no luck suppressing any symptoms. After the birth I have been in even worse flare up and since my recent colonoscopy it has been even worse. Why Gastro docs think giving a Chron's patients those clean out drugs are good should be shot. I have had the worst of it for the last 5 weeks. Waiting for insurance to give the ok to go back on Remicade.

I think it is going to be up to your body what happens.
Posted 9/17/2011 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Most DRs say that during pregnancy, people with autoimmune diseases will experience one of three things - the disease will get worse, the disease will get better or the disease will stay the same. For me, each pregnancy brought relief from my bowel problems but made my asthma impossible to control. And following each pregnancy I had bowel flares and my asthma got better. So there you go.

I agree with you Crohn's chick - I hate the colonoscopy prep - the last scope I had put me into a flare. Nasty.
Posted 9/19/2011 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
you definately cant get pregnat with crohn's, you MUST still use your husband! ;o)
Posted 9/19/2011 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I had one successful pregnancy but was not in the middle of a flare at the time. Wasn't taking any medication and felt great the entire time and up until I stopped nursing my daughter at 9 months. Then I crashed and had a major flare. Once it was semi under control we tried again and unfortunately had two miscarriages and stopped at only having our beautiful daughter who is now 10. The doctors didn't think the miscarriages were because of the Crohns but they weren't 100%....

It is possible! Positive thoughts coming your way!
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