Pregnancy and Crohn's...

As I said in my post earlier this morning, I'm getting married in 6 months. We're planning on starting a family about 2 years after the wedding (we definitely want time for just us before we start having kids!) and I'm kind of concerned. I know it's a long time from now, but I'm the worrying type, and I can't help but be concerned about it. I've read that pregnancy can be either really easy or really difficult, depending on if the Crohn's is in remission or not. I'm currently only taking Pentasa, will I be able to continue on that while pregnant?

It's just been a bad day, haven't had any symptoms in almost a year (other than a small amount of blood every now and then when I go) and today I'm in pain and feeling listless and sorry for myself (trying not to be but it's hard), so it's bringing up the concerns about the future.

I can understand the worry. Crohn's didn't even present itself in me until I had my son. By that time I had my daughter already, so I had a boy and a girl and thought okay well then at least I was done having children before this DD attacked me. Wow was I wrong :). I now have a seven month old little girl. We have always had a really hard time getting my crohn's disease to think it's in remission. Meaning never hah! I got pregnant a few months after they had pulled the research drug I was on. I'm telling you now I have not felt that great in years. The pregnancy had me in remission for the first time since I was dx'd back in 03. It's back with a vengence now, but during my pregnancy it didn't reoccur. I completely agree with kazbern that a third of women with an autoimmune disease do have a remission during pregnancy and I hope your future ones are that way as well. Goodluck and congrats on your wedding! :)

Mesalamine is generally considered safe for pregnancy. I've only taken asacol, so I can't tell you too much about your specific med, but you should discuss the specifics of pentasa with your doctor. Chances are your GI will know more about pentasa and pregnancy than your OB will. Your OB will most likely send you to a maternal/fetal medicine specialist for extra ultrasounds and stuff. Nothing to be worried about, but they'll call you "high risk" and monitor you extra.

As far as statistics go - 30% of women improve during pregnancy, 30% stay the same, and 30% feel worse. Fortunately, I have never been in the 30% worse category. I've always felt better or stayed the same.

You have every reason to believe that you will have a successful, healthy pregnancy. It's good you are educating yourself now for the future. Good luck!!!
Stef