HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

UC mamas--labor/delivery advice needed!

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/11/2016 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and experienced the worst flare yet when I was 15 weeks. After about a month, we were able to get the flare under control and I have been symptom free since around New Year's after starting Rowasa enemas and Prednisone.

I met with my GI for the first time since the flare today and he has given me a bit of a scare. He said that when I go into labor I will need to have stress doses of IV steroids to avoid going into adrenal failure and shock (and potentially dying!) He also said that he would not recommend breastfeeding for 2-3 weeks post delivery because of the large doses of steroids that will be administered during labor. He even suggested that it might just be "easier" to have a scheduled c-section.

UC mamas out there--was this the course of treatment you had during/post delivery? And if so, did you have these restrictions on breastfeeding after?

Obviously I'd like to avoid death, but I'm feeling that my GI is really planning for the ultimate worst case scenario and that with my OB I can make a much more appealing birth plan. Any advice/thoughts is greatly appreciated!
Posted 3/11/2016 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry your doc has given you such a scare! I don't really know your situation very well, but this was not the course of treatment for either one of my deliveries since being diagnosed with UC. In fact, nothing out of the ordinary was done for me.

I was given a normal IV with a couple of rounds of antibiotics, but that was due to testing positive for group b strep, and nothing to do with UC. I was able to nurse both of my babies while taking Asacol.

I hope your labor and delivery turns out uneventful and that you are able to nurse your baby!
Posted 3/11/2016 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am 30 weeks and flaring right now and was put on pred 3 days ago. My GI (one of the best) said nothing like this at all.

Today, I have an apt with my ob/gyn and plan on getting his opinion as well though. I'll share what I find out!
Posted 3/11/2016 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was on pred with my last pregnancy. Terrible flare...had to start Remicade at 30 weeks. I tapered off the pred about 2 weeks prior to my water breaking. My baby boy came 2 weeks early.

Yes you will need a stress dose but it's only one shot and doesn't stay in your system long. There is no reason that I was told to not breastfeed. I worked with my GI, OB and high risk OB. Not one of them had any issues with me breastfeeding immediately and I did and continued for 6 months - while on Remicade, Lialda and towards the end a low dose of prednisone.

Also I had a c section for reasons that had nothing to do with UC. My first son was a C because of his position and my body didn't dialate after 48 hours of labor. With my second son I wanted a VBAC and everyone was in support of that...regardless of my UC or the meds I was on. Unfortunately my body didn't dialate again so we opted for another c section without the 2 days of labor LOL.

Your GI sounds a little over the top IMO. I would discuss with your OB and if possible a high risk OB. The high risk OB I met with was very familiar with IBD...
Posted 3/12/2016 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like your doctor did give you an unnecessary scare. I started flaring around 28 weeks pregnant and was put on 60mg of prednisone. I got the IV steroid dose during labor too. My GI or OB didn't mentioned any risk with breastfeeding while on steroids. Think about it- if it's deemed safe during pregnancy, the same would apply when breastfeeding right? I think there's just not enough research done to show effects of prednisone on pregnant women so some doctors may not feel comfortable with it. Personally, after going through it, the first couple weeks of breastfeeding are the most important to your long-term success with it. BUT remember, YOUR health is just as important so do what you need to stay healthy and if you're not comfortable breastfeeding while on steroids, formula is great! I only breastfed for four months and had to supplement from the beginning. There's nothing wrong with that! My girl is 17 months now and thriving. :) Good luck!
Posted 3/12/2016 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
If a baby is born preterm I know they give them steroids to help them speed up their lung development. This would tell me that steroids are safe for them no?
Posted 3/13/2016 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
So, my doctor (ob/gyn) said that pred is totally safe. He said nothing about a stress dose and also said that breast feeding is safe.
Posted 3/13/2016 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I had steroids through IV as soon as I went into labor. It is a matter of life or death. Breastfeeding is dangerous for your baby when you have been on these UC meds. Just my experience when I had my children.
Posted 3/13/2016 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I had to take pred after my first son was born because of an allergic reaction to adhesive tape. I was told there was no reason to avoid breastfeeding at all. Granted I was only on it for a week after his birth and I hadn't developed UC yet. I would check with all my doctors if I were you and see what they have to say. It would stink to have to pump and dump for a couple of weeks if you plan to breastfeed.
Posted 3/14/2016 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
Not at all what experienced in my 2 pregnancies. My first, I started flaring about 16 weeks but was undiagnosed. My daughter arrived at 34 weeks, I'm still not sure if that was UC related. My water broke. I labored. We were pushing and she turned transverse and I ended up with an emergency c section. When she was 4 months old, I was diagnosed with UC and give 40 mg prednisone. The old school GI Doctor who diagnosed me said I would have to quit breastfeeding. I refused and said I would just stay in a huge flare but I was going to nurse her. Fortunately, I pressed on for secondary advice and proceeding with nursing and prednisone. My daughter is now 5 and healthy. Her Peditrician knew about my prednisone and it prohibited her from getting a norovirus vaccine but other than that I don't recall many other complications. I would strongly advise you to call the Infant Risk Center and talk to them about your medicines. They are behind the Mothers Milk and medicine book

I gave birth 7 months ago again. This time the pregnancy was much better with the UC! No flare! I had a second c section. And I continued my normal Lialda and VSL#3 in pregnancy.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply