4 weeks Pregnant w/ a VERY active flare

I just recently found out that I am pregnant (only about 4 weeks).  This news is very very welcomed; however, it comes during the worst flare that I have had since being diagnosed a year ago.  I've already been hospitalized (3 weeks ago) and I've been on prednisone (40mg) since I was discharged.  I was also taking Asacol (1600mg 3x's a day) and doing hydrocordisone enemas at night and in the day (even though that's almost impossible!).  I went back to GI today because my flare is just not getting under control.  I'm still going up to 4 times a day with lots of blood and cramping so bad I feel like I'm going to pass out.  My doctors are very concerned that my UC is going to cause a miscarriage.  So, they've switched me to Rowasa enemas @ night and the hydro enemas in the morning.  They took me off of Asacol and put me on Sulfasalazine instead.  I'm also going to continue the Prednisone. If I don't improve in the next week, they want to admit me again and give me steroids by IV.  I'm worried about losing the baby, but I'm also worried about how much stuff I'm putting into my body so early into the pregnancy.  I've done a lot of reading and most of the stuff that I'm on is "ok" during pregnancy, but it still doesn't feel right.  Has anyone had a similar situation?  The doctors said the most important thing is to get the flare under control.  Any comments, stories, or experiences are welcomed.

 

 

Thank you for your kind post.  So both of your children have UC?!  Did I read that right?  I wish the best for your family as well.

I had a flare right at the beginning of my pregnancy last January. Luckily I got it under control with the Rowasa Enemas and Asacol (they didnt take me off). Acupuncture helped as well. I think at first the pregnancy was jarring to my system but after it balanced out (post-morning sickness- about 2 months) my symptoms went away and stayed away until recently. My little boy just turned one and is quite healthy- no reactions to the medicine as far as we can tell.
Congrads on the pregnancy! Good luck.

I had the worst flare of my life when I was six weeks pregnant.  Stupidly I thought because I was in remission and have relatively minor UC that I would stay in remission.  I didn't!  I had to go on hydrocortisone enemas and I was sick as a dog for 14 days straight.  All I did was go to the bathroom and lay on the couch.  Literally.  I had such bad cramps and bloody D/mucous I thought there was no way for me to keep my baby.  Well she is now 20 months and healthy as anything.  Such a delight!  I wasn't on prednisone, so I can't speak to that, but I was on Rowasa and hydrocortisone  enemas.  Once I got mine under control I stayed in remission with only Rowasa enemas, which I slowly tapered all the way down to one a week until I stopped breastfeeding and flared again.  I had to go on Asacol to get that one under control.  The hormones really play a number on my UC, but once the initial shock of the hormone surge/change if I keep using my meds I can get things back under control.  As for the meds effecting the baby I know exactly how you feel.  Who wants to start their babies off with drugs in their system, however you have to remember the placenta  is there for a reason to filter things for the baby and also these are category B drugs.  You have to do what you feel is best, but honestly your body can not fight off UC and keep your baby without any drugs.  My suggestion is do what it takes to get your flare back in remission and then try to taper as soon as you can, with the guidance of your GI.  Good luck.  I know this is a scary time, but you will get through it and then you will have nothing but joy(and sleepless nights!  )

I wish you all the best with your pregnancy. I did very well with both of my pregnancies...however, after they were born, I flared all over again. Strange how things happen.

Please keep us posted. I would love to know how you are making out!

I took prednisone during the third trimester with my son (who is now 5 months) and he turned out just fine.