Flare during conception...

Ok... I know, I wasn't supposed to get pregnant during a flare. But come on, UC has taken so much from me- it seemed like we would never be in the clear to get pregnant. Now, I am 6 weeks along and can't tell anyone because we know it might not last. I have a lot of blood loss all day- about 10 times a day! I am not going on prednisone because it already messed me up and it doesn't work any more.

I know it is still early but, the nurse seems to think that as long as it is coming from by butt I'm ok. But that can't be right. Can it?

I just want to fast forward through the first trimester and grow this baby like a normal person! One thing is good, I guess... No one suspects we are pregnant because it looks like I am just in a flare again.

Yup--iron and folic acid. Especially if you've been on Sulfasalazine. And calcium if you've been on prednisone. I'm pretty sure I was flaring when my daughter was conceived a couple years ago, I was so naive then I had no idea what was going on. My pregnancy wasn't easy, but we all got through it and no problems at all with my little one. Hard to say about the blood, but babies are a lot hardier than one would think, considering all the prednisone I was on while pregnant. Good Luck!

I would also recommend, as another poster did, that you take folic acid supplements...over and above what you would find in a prenatal because you are loosing more vitamins while you are flaring and your body is not absorbing them very well. Also, while I was preggo I was advised to take a prenatal take is in powder form for the same absorbtion reason. You can buy prenatals at your health food store that are in v-cap form - powder put into capsules. Also fish oil - it is good for inflammation and it is essential for your baby's brain development (more so in the third tri and during breastfeeding but as it is so all round healthy for you and your babe you may as well start right away). Lots of rest and as little stress as possible. While I was pregnant I flared in my late second tri. My doc told me that a flare has to be pretty severe for it to harm my baby - to the point of hospitalization. It could be different for the first tri but as someone else pointed out, these small beings are tough. Good luck to you.

I too had gotten pregnant with my second child during a flare, we planned it during around the time my flare was a little milder than usual (sometimes pregnancy can put you into remission but that didn't happen to me although I stayed a little milder during that pregnancy) since I've never been in full remission since getting sick about a yr after having my first baby I know you can't necessarily wait for full remission to get pregnant, thigs worked out well enough I had gotten pregnant quickly (as I did with my first baby) and he was a big (8lbs 3oz) healthy baby and is now a strapping teenage boy. I also bled here and there during my pregnancy with him (from the anus not the vagina) and all was well regardless.

I only used folic acid, I did not take extra iron with either pregnancy as my doc never directed me to only folic acid...iron supplements can apparently do a real number on the gut so be careful if you're told to take it.

:)

i got pregnant shortly after a flare. I had gotten out of the hospital in July (i think) and was still on pred, and hte pill! we were going to wait until january when i was off the pred and a little healthier, but i got pregnant in september, I was lucky though i was one of the 3 out of 4 that go into remission during pregnancy! However, i took LOTS of extra folic acid, i had been doing that for almost a year since i was thinking of it and the meds i was on can cause spinal problems and the folic acid can help counteract that.
Also, if the prenatal vitamins are bothering you, a flintstones with extra iron is just as good!
You need to make srue you are seeing a high risk OB and getting ultrasounds often. I had them once a month, at least. To make sure the meds weren't affecting the baby, and to catch anything that might be wrong.
One thing to note, some of the meds you are on can cause you to bleed easier from soft tissues (ie. gums, nose, and cervix) so you may have some spotting durning your pregnancy. I started that about 7 weeks and it happened on and off during the whole pregnancy. Of course always get it checked out, but after the 4th time i connected the dots and realized it was the meds causing the problem and quit freakign out as much when it happened, lol.
Good luck with your pregnancy!

UPDATE: I talked to my GI yesterday and he suggested I get an abortion... He says because I have tried all other medications and they stopped working I have one option left: Humira which is a class B drug (not tested on Pregn. women). He worries that I will put myself and the baby at risk. I tried to talk to the OB and get an earlier appointment but they don't really have any.

My husband and I want to keep the baby. But with all medications failed... What are our options?

I'm only 7 weeks and just started getting morning sickness... Should I just do a Clear Liquid Diet until things calm down? This sucks... as if Colitis didn't have enough of a hold on my life... :(

The OB appointment is Friday the 8th. But I sent them an email stressing the situation and they usually get back to me in a couple of days.

Maybe I'll email the GI too and see if he can email or talk to the OB office. I did ask for a High Risk OB and our insurance is with Kaiser so I can always call an advice nurse. I'll keep you posted as I hear more from the OB. Thanks for your support.

hi lisa, I'm so sorry for you its a horrendous position to be in,your only six weeks along so you still have a while before you have to make any decisions,make sure your still taking folic acid plus extra vitamins and minerals,try and get a second opinion,to balance what your GI said,I know women have had successfull pregnancies while on remicade and even gone ahead and breastfed neither of which is recomeded,because drugs like remicade and humira have not been around long enough for doctors to really know there potential risks in pregnancy or long term,they simply have not got the statics yet,
I know this does not really help you,but I'm sure you will find an ob to suport you if you decide to go ahead
Thinking of you and wishing you all the best Anna

Thanks again everyone. I am so glad we have this site to talk. It is really hard to find people who know what it's like... and to add a baby to the equation makes it even more unique. Thanks for all the advice. I think we are going to get some nutrition drinks and eat small low fiber meals. Still haven't heard from the OB... I've just been laying around anyway.

Liza, my heart goes out to you. When I was pregnant and flared my GI thought it would be a good idea if I met with a doctor who specialized in UC at a large, metropolitan hospital, about two hours away. She was great because she was very up on pregnancy and UC. That's one of the reasons that I love my GI because he doesn't feel like he has all the answers and if he's unsure about something he'll send me to another doctor because he truly wants what's best for me and it's not an ego thing. With something this serious, I would definitely get a second opinion. GI doctors treat many different diseases and not just UC and they are not all up on UC pregnancies. You said that you've tried all the other medications, did they help at all? If so, maybe you could take one or two of them while pregnant and maybe not bring you into complete remission but at least make things a little better. I did the prednisone with my last pregnancy and while it didn't work as well as when I first took it - I still had d and some bleeding - it made things bearable. I didn't like it one bit but it allowed me to have my son.  

Hi again to me,it sounds like you are constipated due to infamation in the rectum which is common in pregnancy and can make the UC much worse,I think movicol sachets are the best because it causes the bowel to absorb more water keeping the stools much softer rather than,other laxatives that move things along and can often be harsh and cause cramping pain,you need to drink a couple of extra glasses of water a day though.
Also you may consider some rectal meds again such as a cortisone enema these helped me quite a bit with the urgency issue,and if your feeling unwell and not moving around too much you can try gently massaging your stomach area in alarge circular motion sounds weird but helped me quite a bit,if you have ever thought of trying meditation now be a good time to get a book or cd on it you must be really stressed out,and that and listening to calming music can be helpfull too,we are all thinking of you,and sending good thoughts Anna

Liza D,

I'm sorry to hear about the Doctor's suggestion. I agree with the others that it's your decision. I'm sure you may find some kind of remission as the pregnancy goes on, also if you try Humira, it's totally safe to take while pregnant. I've gone over that with my Ob because my hubby and I are going to try for a baby this year sometime. I will be praying that all goes well with you.

Here is the phone number for Motherisk 416-813-6780. The website is www.motherisk.org if you want to know about the program. I looked Humira up in my Medications and Mothers Milk book (Dr Thomas Hale - probably the most significant researcher in relation to breastfeeding and drugs) and you are right that Humira is a catagory B for pregnancy.......category B is just about one of the highest that any drug can get for pregnancy short of say vitamins that have been extensively tested on pregnant women. I was on asacol and mesalamine enemas throughout my pregnancy both of which are category B for pregnancy. Prednisone, which many, many women are on during pregnancy is a category C drug and the vast majority of women who take during pregnancy have very healthy babies. I do not mean to say that it ok for you to take Humira because of course I am not a doctor and I dont know your circumstances, but I would definately get a second opinion. Good luck. Let us know what happens. jo