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Remicade during Pregnancy

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/15/2007 4:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone, I have been taking Remicade for about a year now and have never had any complications with the drug; infact it has pretty much been the only thing that works to keep my Crohn's in remission.  I just found out I was pregnant and have been trying to find information about pregnancy and Remicade. (Every site or doctor seems to say different information about the drug.) 

I was wondering if anyone has ever been pregnant while on Remicade, if they had any complications, and if their baby was born healthy.  If I continue with Remicade, I do not want to hurt my baby, but know if I do not get Remicade my Crohn's will make me very sick during this pregnancy. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted 9/15/2007 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
wow, i've been taking remicade monthly for almost two years now and i too am concerned about the effects during pregnancy.  like you, i've never had a reaction at any infusion.  i'm not pregnant now because i'm afraid since i don't know the facts, but i'd like to be.  but my nurse suggested i contact centocor, the company that makes the med.  hopefully someone will reply to your post with some positive results.  best of luck with the remainder of your pregnancy, and i'm sure your baby will be just fine.
Posted 9/15/2007 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to say welcome to both of you! I don't know about preg. w/ remicade. I have heard others on here say that they have consulted with high risk OB's. I hope that you have a wonderful preg. and i'm sure that the baby will be perfect.
Heather
Posted 9/15/2007 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
There have been quite a few women who have had healthy babies while using Remicade.  Most use high risk OB's, but they have had healthy babies and normal pregnancies.  Some have had babies while on other immunesuppressants too.  I know there are a couple due within the next few months.  Sorry can't remember their names.  I am sure they will be along soon to ease your fears.  Also, I know a few of them had their doctors tell them that it is important for the mom's to stay healthy that's why they kept them on their meds.  Good luck to you all!

Posted 9/16/2007 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
First off - CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's GREAT news!!!

To answer your question - I've had 2 healthy remicade babies and I'm hoping to have 2 more. No complications, fabulous pregnancies and 2 gorgeous, healthy children. I see (saw) a high risk OB and my GI was always a little more informed about the remicade than the OB. When I was pregnant with #2 my GI told me that the latest research/studies show that remicade doesn't even cross the placenta until 30-32 weeks along. I don't know what questions you have, but I'd be happy share my own experiences with you if you'd like.

The only thing that I might mention is this: I know a woman with CD whose GI has this theory that women taking remicade will have to have C-sections because remicade has anti-TNF properties and TNF is part of what causes the cervix to dilate. This GI hasn't proven her theory, but... I find it very curious because for me I never dilated past 1cm - even with contractions 1 minute apart for hours. So, I had 2 c-sections. Personally, I think that GI is on to something, but that's not common info out there. I don't know if any other women on this board who have taken remicade while pregnant had c-sections or not, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for what it's worth.
Posted 9/16/2007 6:57 PM (GMT 0)

Hi!  I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and am still getting remicade every 7 weeks.  Everything has gone great with this pregnancy so far.  I did not take remicade with my first pregnancy, but my crohn's was more problematic this time, so we opted to continue it.  From what I've found, it's ok to have. 

I do have a question for Steph17 or any other mom's of remi babies...did you breastfeed on remicade?  I breastfed the first time and would like to do it again this time, but I'm a little nervous about not taking the remicade.  From the research I've done from the few sources I can find, it looks like it's ok...but I"m not sure.  What have you heard?  Any info would be appreciated!  Thanks!

Posted 9/16/2007 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have breastfed both babies while on remicade and my other meds. Dr. Hale is a leading expert on meds and mother's milk. Here is a link to his site. The first one is the general search page. The 2nd one is specific info on breastfeeding while on remicade. They have found that the molecule is too large to pass through to the milk, so the baby gets negligible amounts if any at all.


http://neonatal.ama.ttuhsc.edu/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=topics&access=guest

http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/48/47806.html?1180705975
Posted 9/17/2007 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have a healthy 2 month old daughter and took Remicade (and 6MP) throughout my pregnancy.  I had my last infusion at 31 weeks and had a scheduled c-section at 39.  She was born 9 lbs 1 oz with no effects from the medication.  The pregnancy and delivery was so easy I cannot wait to have another.  She is the PERFECT baby . . . sleeping through the night already.  Such a blessing!

Posted 9/17/2007 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
that's wonderful friend.  i've heard many women with CD say that they were healthier (felt better) during pregnancy.  this is all wonderful to hear.
Posted 9/17/2007 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have UC and am on Remicade. My husband and i took a long time deciding whether or not to take Remicade for this very reason. i will have my third infusion tomorrow so far so good. it is so comforting to hear that there are women who have had healthy babies while on remicade. We are going to wait a year to make sure i dont have any complications on the medication and then start trying.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted 9/17/2007 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
one last question. did any of you have any complications getting pregnant?
Posted 9/18/2007 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I always wonder about the long term effects on children born to us who were on these meds. Anyone have any info about long term effects?
Posted 9/19/2007 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have a 9.5 month old healthy baby girl.  I had been on remicade for about 3 1/2 years. I had a great pregnancy and delivery a helathy baby by c-section. I had a c-section due to the fistulas I have.  Unfortunately, I had a reaction on remicade and can no longer take it, but this was about 8 months after my baby was born.  I feel so blessed to have had a chance to get pregnant and have a baby.  I really believe that staying on remicade allowed this. I got lots of encouragement from this site..especially from steph17--thanks again:)

Good luck to all!

Posted 9/19/2013 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 39 weeks on my 2nd pregnancy. I have been on Remicade throughout both pregnancies the entire time. I breasted with my first and intend to with my 2nd. With my first pregnancy, I went to 42 weeks and 3 days until I was finally induced. After cervadil, pitocin, and breaking my water I only got to 2 cm and had to have a csection. I'm trying for a vbac with my 2nd but so far I have no dilation. I'm wondering now if Remicade makes it difficult to dilate.
Posted 9/20/2013 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Good question. I was on Remicade and had a c-section at 37 weeks because of a rectovaginal fistula I already had. I never was dilated at all.
Posted 10/4/2013 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
Just a quick update: I was set to be induced for a vbac on sept 26 if I had dilated at least to 2 cm on my own in advance. That morning I walked for an hour and did 30 min of nipple stimulation, anything to get me dilated. I went into the hospital and didn't dilate at all so I had another cesarean.
Posted 10/4/2013 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update! Really good to know!
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