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Question for the UC Mommies

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Ulcerative Colitis
How did your UC respond after the birth of your baby?
Improved - 0.0% - 0 votes
Worsened - 14.3% - 1 votes
Went back to pre-pregnancy behavior - 57.1% - 4 votes
Stayed the same as during pregnancy - 28.6% - 2 votes
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Posted 10/26/2010 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
So two months ago, at 5 months pregnant, I had my first flare with blood and more frequent bm's. My question for all the Mom's on this board is how did your UC behave after pregnancy? Did you notice a decrease, increase, or the same? Is there anyone else who got diagnosed while pregnant? If so, did things go back to normal after the baby was born? (this is probably my very wishful thinking!)

I know everyone responds different but I just thought I would ask to see what other people experienced and to be prepared for when I have this baby.

Ooh! maybe a poll on this would be fun :)
Posted 10/26/2010 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was actually diagnosed AFTER my pregnancy. I will always believe something in my pregnancy caused my first flare.
I find it hard to deal trying to be a mommy and having this disease. I want a better life for my son rather than seeing me on the toilet all the time. I'd love to take him to the zoo and trick-or-treating but I just can't. And it makes me severely sad. :o(
Posted 10/26/2010 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to hear that jse :( It would make me very very sad too - in fact, I am tearing up now thinking about it. Have you EVER had any relief? I want to believe that there has to be something to improve things for you...
Posted 10/26/2010 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
I've definitely had periods of relief. Right after my diagnosis I had relief but I was not educated very well on the disease so I figured since I felt better I could slack on my meds and then of course things came back 10 fold! I then tried Canasa and Asacol together and that really help and provided a good 6 months of relief but I couldn't afford the Asacol so had to switch to Colazal which has helped just not as much. I recently did a taper of prednisone and that helped tremendously but then I foolishly took myself off of meds again and once the taper was over I am now back to very bad symptoms and stuck in my house! :o(
I have no insurance so no Dr. Have been trying to get into UVA here recently and hoping they accept me soon and I can be on the way to healing again. I am also going to try healing through diet here in a couple of weeks through a holistic nutritionist. A lot of people don't believe in that but I am slowly becoming a believer...

Post Edited (jse) : 10/26/2010 6:38:13 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/26/2010 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
I really hope you can get some meds soon and start feeling normal again. I think you are taking the right steps and will find relief soon! Hang in there and stay positive - the mind is very powerful. Try not to get too upset - it can be hard but positive energy and a positive attitude can go far. Hang in there jse!!
Posted 10/26/2010 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Well I know I developed symptoms during my first pregnancy (my theory is that things started with the RhoGam shot) and my OB kept assuring me that a little bit of blood and inflammation was from internal hemorrhoids.
After I gave birth I was still bleeding, still showing signs of inflammation, but I didn't go to the doctor until after I had so much urgency that I couldn't make it to a toilet in time. So my son was about 9 months old at the time, but I wasn't dx'd yet so I was on no meds that whole time. Because I was super sick, the meds took a while to start working but once they did I've never flared as badly as that first one.
Now after my second pregnancy, I started to feel a little flare coming on but made sure I was extra careful with my diet and the flare never developed. I was able to eat more freely while pg so I just had to go back to the safe diet.

so I was better while pregnant, but went back to normal after giving birth.

also, since UC can be affected by hormones, I recommend breastfeeding if you're considering it at all because it'll be a smoother hormonal transition for you.
Posted 10/26/2010 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I've been suspecting that UC is affected by hormones but I haven't been able to really find much information about that. I do want to breastfeed and was wondering what affect that will have so I appreciate the tip!

My OB thought it was internal hemm's at first too. But she never checked me out! I was floored that someone could just assume something without looking. Needless to say I changed OB's. Hem's wouldn't make you go 5 times a day!!

Thanks again for your advice :)
Posted 10/26/2010 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
My UC was WAY better during pregnancy. It was so bad before, that I was set for surgery. Then, I got pregnant. During my pregnancy, I even had normalish bms (snake like but formed) and was only going 2-3 times per day, that was really really good.
But shortly after I had her, my UC got very bad again, and I set myself up for surgery a year after I had her.
And haven't looked back!
Posted 10/26/2010 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed while pregnant but had the symptoms for over a year prior to that. After I had the baby, I was great for a couple of weeks and then I was way worse. I had surgery when my son was 8 months old
Posted 10/27/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I think hormones play a role with UC because I was diagnosed 2 weeks after a miscarriage back in April. I started to see blood in my stool and I had never had issues in the past.
I am currently pregnant again (so excited) 5 weeks only. I've been in remission since July and I hope it stays that way. I feel good and haven't noticed changes. I still using my meds and will not stop them. I am using Rowasa every other night and will continue with them because they've totally helped me.

BTW you guys are the first to know aside from my husband we are not sharing our great news to our family and friends until I'm in the safe zone.

Missey
Posted 10/27/2010 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on the pregnancy!! :)
Posted 10/27/2010 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Bosco are you only on enemas and no oral meds?
Posted 10/27/2010 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Can't vote on the poll because I didn't have UC until after my 2nd child was 3.5 yrs old. 

 

Posted 10/27/2010 9:37 AM (GMT 0)
missey - yeah - looks like the same as you. they worked quickly for me and I can't complain. I go to the dr on friday and I am going to ask about oral meds too. i go back and forth on the idea while being pregnant, especially since i am doing good right now...
Posted 10/27/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
My UC also started when I was pregnant. It was mild. My OBGYN and a GI told me it was internal hemorrhoids. After my pregnancy things didn't improve and I went to my current GI for a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with UC. It was very mild for a year and 1/2 I just used rowasa enemas. Then last Christmas I started a nasty flare.
Posted 10/27/2010 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
My first pregnancy (2002) was really tough because I went off my maitenance meds for fear it would hurt the baby.  My son was born strong and is amazing, but I had to have a central IV line put in for food and vitamins when I was 7 mos along. 

When I was pregnant with my daughter (2005), I stayed on my colozal and had an amazing pregnancy and delivery.  She is strong and has had no problems.

Both times though after delivery, I went back to flaring.  It's been a challenge ever since.  Kinda just learned to live with it, but trying to take a new approach with a new doctor.

Happy pregnancy to all!

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