experiences on Crohn's during pregnancy

Hi Guys,

I'm starting to get really worried that I'm flaring, and that it's not just pregnancy. Some of you have mentioned you had symptoms that you thought were Crohn's, but turned out to be just pregnancy. Can you please share those symptoms? Were there more frequent BMs or gas?

I've been having more gas which makes me feel like I have to go to the bathroom, and more BMs, some at night. I don't know if that's really normal, doesn't really sound like it, but I'm trying to remain calm. I'm not doing a good job though, with the hormones I'm extra emotional, and the though of flaring during pregnancy is so scary to me, since we weren't ever really able to find a maintenance drug that worked.

How many of you took meds or didn't take meds? Did you wait until after the first trimester? Did some of you who were flaring in the first trimester stop eventually? I'd just like to hear experiences. I'm really afraid I may be flaring, and I really wanted so badly to be healthy during this pregnancy.

Hi Octobergirl, sorry you are worried, it is hard to stay calm in pregnancy.

I was diagnosed with CD in my first pregnancy, had surgery at 32weeks and that´s when they found out. Didn´t get medication untill 6 weeks pp, was quite ill by then- frequent BM (15 a day), joint pains, was 10kg under my normal weight which could have been connected with the surgery and diet afterwards.

It took 2 years and another surgery to ger the CD under control, after that we decided to get pregnant again. I was on Pentasa and Budenofalk the whole pregnancy (am corticoid dependent), everything was fine, no problems even after birth, breastfed for a year.

Currently we have a 5 month-old baby girl, during pregnancy I was on 150mg Imuran, still am, she is fully breastfed (9kg at 5 months), checked by her pediatrician for signs of immunosupression, but seems fine. The pregnancy was fine, I do get some more frequent BM occasionally and quite a lot of gas, but it helps if I have some Lepicol (psyllium+lactobacillus) few times and it does get better. According to blood tests and ultrasound scan, I´m a reasonably healthy person (knock knock).

See your GI asap, if it is your CD waking up, the sooner the find out the better. Good luck to you and hope it is just you being a bit stressed.

Thanks ladies, I really appreciate your sharing your experiences. I had a complete meltdown yesterday, I couldn't stop sobbing! I want so badly to be healthy for this baby and during this pregnancy. I know it's not healthy for the baby to have all this stress and worry though. I've gotta get myself under control!

Roni- I ended up seeing my GI's NP today, since I had an abscess. Thankfully it was better by the time I saw her, so I don't have to do anything right now. I meet with my GI in a week and a half, so at least we'll be able to talk about pregnancy and everything. I've already meet with my OB/Gyn too and meet with the NP there next week for the 6 week ultrasound.

Joohana- Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry you had to have surgery while you were pregnant! I can't imagine that, but thankfully you were OK and baby too. I'm so glad your other pregnancy and baby were fine too. It's comforting to know you can have Crohn's and still have a healthy baby. That's what I worry about most!

Stef- I know, you're right, I need to stay calm. But I'm so glad to hear you had more gas and BMs and you weren't flaring. If I am flaring, I think its a small flare and hopefully it will calm down. Maybe it is just my body getting used to the hormones, since I was doing pretty well before the pregnancy. It's awesome your kids are so healthy too, and ahead of the game ;), of course, mommy bragging is so understandable!

OK, this is me trying to calm down. Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just really hoping and praying for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

Hi inflamed- Glad to hear you're doing well. Do you mind my asking if you're on any meds?

I'm only 5 weeks right now. Thanks for your support! :)

Thanks for the website info, Inflamed. I'm going to check it out. It's so good to hear that you're maintaining on Pentasa alone. Sigh, yes, it's hard to not worry when you don't have those signs of the baby moving. The one thing that has kept me going is that it seems every day I wake up with some new zit from the pregnancy hormones. I think it's the only time in my life where I've actually welcomed having a zit, it gives me some kind of reassurance.

I had 3 children prior to being diagnosed with Crohn's. After the 1st trimester, my bm's were generally ok. Once I gave birth though the symptoms would return. But, although having no treatment back then, it doesn't seem to have affected my health or made things any worse. Don't forget too that stressing may just bring on an attack and make you feel worse. Try and put your feet up and relax.