NEWLY PREGNANT ON 6MP

All I can say is that if it was me I would not risk the kid with the medication. Too many things they just don't know about long term side affects and stuff.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! I know how you feel with the info about 6MP and pregnancy online. It's really scary. If you have found a high-risk OB-GYN who you trust, I would go with their opinion over anything else. I am on imuran, and got conflicting advice about pregnancy. In the end, I spoke with two high-risk docs from Harvard who said that it is infinitely safer for me to be pregnant and healthy on my imuran than to come off the medicine and risk a flare-up.

A good high-risk OB will monitor your pregnancy really closely, and seeing good test results come back always does wonders for my anxiety.

Best of luck to you!

I was told by my GI and pharmacist that while on Imuran I was not to get pregnant and to avoid pregnancy for five years after I stop taking the medication.

Lynn - First of all congratulations! I know it's really hard to be excited when you are so scared and nervous. That was me 7 months ago. I'm currently 31 1/2 weeks pregnant and am on 6MP. Before getting pregnant I had talked to three different GI's about being being on 6MP if I were to get pregnant. All three were in agreement that it would be much better for me to stay healthy and in remission than to risk a flare in the first trimester. I also went to a conference were an "expert IBD specialist" GI from Chicago also said that newer research believed it was in the mother and baby's best interest to stay healthy and flare free if possible during pregnancy. It's easy to hear those things, but it's another thing to go through with it. I also consulted with my reguaar OB and and high-risk OB about this. The high risk OB concurred with the GI doctors and had previous patients on 6MP. She even said if I had to go on prednisone while pregnant that it would be okay too (just completed a 2 week, daily 20 mgs dose).

Despite hearing all of that I was still very nervous about getting pregnant while on 6MP. I got pregnant earlier than expected (GI had wanted me to wait a few more months until he could do a scope and confirm remission), but I accidentally got pregnant. I was terrified at first until I saw and heard my baby at 7 weeks. Ironically, at the time I found out I was pregnant was also the BEST I had been feeling UC wise and health wise in 2 years. All through my first trimester I felt GREAT. I had not a single UC issue at all and finally realized what "normal" people feel like. All my doctors were so pleased and said they didn't want me to go off the medication and the fact that I was feeling so good they said was a good sign and to not change anything.

I had all the first trimester screens recommended and everything came back fine. My 20 week ultrasound complete with and extensive look at the heart all looked good. All signs are pointing that the baby is healthy. I am having two more ultrasounds to check the baby's growth in the next two months. So far, I've gained the "appropriate" amount of weight and am measuring to size as my due date, so we believe the baby is growing and getting the nutrients she needs.

Having said all of that, I did start flaring in the second trimester, but it's manageable and my GI recently just increased my 6MP dose to 75 mgs (with my high-risk OB and OB's consent). It had been 50 mgs one night and 75 mg the next. But my GI seems to think that as I've gained weight in pregnancy my dose wasn't high enough. So that is something to keep in mind as you progress in your pregnancy.

I know you are nervous and there is so much conflicting information. I just wanted to share my story with you, because I was in your shoes not too long ago. I finally just accepted the fact that this was my situation and am making the best decisions I can given my situation. I also had to put my faith and trust in my doctors and believe they all have my and the baby's best interest in mind. Congratulations again and I wish you a happy and healthy 9 months.

Congratulations and good luck to you too!  I'm glad I could help in any way. 

hi there,I was pregnant 2 years ago and my UC was not in remmission,so it was a bit of a nightmare,
having said that my consultant did tell me if you are in remmission when you find out your pregnant, the chances are that you'll stay that way,in some cases the uc even improves,best thing I think is to stay on all meds as that situation is although not ideal,is infinatly better than flaring when your pregnant.
You have every reason to be optomistic,if you have problems with loose bms and and diahrea you'll probably be very suprised to see this clear up,if you are prone to constipation as I was my advice is to take plenty of extra soluable fibre,prune juice extra to keep regular otherwise this can cause flares in pregnancy as your bowels tend to slow down and this in itself can agrivate the uc I'm only saying this as I wish someone had told me that.Anyway women have had successfull pregnancies,whilst taking,imuran and 6mp
and even if things get a bit difficult doctors can moniter you and baby,I had to have a ton of IV steriods when I was six months pregnant, to calm dowe a flare, but I'm fine now with a healthy toddler,try not to worry too much take it day by day,keep posting to let us know how you are doing take care and goodluck