had total coloctmy, was told at 23 i would not be able conceive????

hi, im really lost as to, what "surgeons "told me after i had a total coloctmy.
diagnosed during pregnancy at the age of 23 with u.colitis, i was so ill, couldnt take
certain meds, that my son was born at 32 wks, 2kg. later to be diagnosed with
mild cerebal palsy. i spent the first yr of his life, in hospital more so then at home with him.
the disease was so aggresivve , that the following year, after too many hospital stays, swelled from steroids, no quality of life and most of my hair fell out from long term use of imuran.
i begged for them to operate, fully understanding i would have a bag and possibly permently. i was then told
i would not be able to have any more children. if i did conceive i would miscarry.
i told them i accepted those risks. 6ft of my intestines, large bowel and colon were removed in surgery.
rectum was left for possible reversal at later time.
my next out patients app, i was told that it was crohns and not colitis, results of biopsy done on what they removed.
reversal was not an option. ,
as a single mum i dedicated and devoted myself to my son. i accepted to myself that i would never have a relationship.
after been single for 9yrs i have met my soul mate. 3 yrs on still strong, n loving life to the full,
and today found this site-. i am totally lost and clueless.
has anyone else ever been told the same,, and had children

This was a big concern for me because I am having a total colectomy soon and I am only 25, but my surgeon told me if I didn't have issues prior to the surgery with reproduction, there was no reason I should have any issues after the surgery and I should be able to conceive, carry, and deliver a baby just fine. I agree - surgery or no surgery, it will be so much easier for you and the baby if you're healthy and drug-free anyways.

How wonderful for you to have met your soulmate! What a happy home you must have :)
Good luck!!

I conceived 8 years after my initial ileostomy surgery but unfortunately he was stillborn as I didn't know until after they ran tests that I had a blood clotting disorder that makes it clot too well and this caused the placenta to block and starve baby of nutrients etc but this was unconnected to the CD. Not long after that I had 2 further operations following a bad flare from taking anti inflammatories and the scar tissue from this stopped me being able to conceive naturally. I did try IVF but drugs didn't work, think my body is really screwed up.

However, I know of many people who have had ileo or colostomy done for varios reasons and have gone on to have children naturally. Did your surgeon say why you wouldn't be able to have any more children, just having an stoma isn't an automatic bar to having kids.

Thank you for posting this! I'm 21, no where ready for even thinking about having children, but this question has crossed my mind as well. In regards to the Crohn's, medications and ileostomy the topic about having children has never even been addressed, so it's good to hear that it is possible! I have, however, been told to wait a few years after having radiation treatment for cancer. But as that is doen and over with, the Crohn's is now my biggest concern!

It really is annoying and sad when you receive misinformation from a doctor. They are supposed to be the knowledgable ones-who are we to trust if not them? Sigh.

My best advice, new start, is to stay with this website, whether it is just to read or to post. These forums offer tremendous support. I've learned more here than I have from any specialist or doctor. I would be much worse off if I hadn't found this site!

I hope you find all of the support here you need new start! Welcome! :)