J pouch and pregnant- OB w/experience w/pouches??

I have a J pouch and I’m having a baby in Feb of 2019. Both my gastro doc and j pouch surgeon suggest I have a surgeon on call. Since my surgeon doesn’t work at the hospital where I’m scheduled to deliever and where my OB works out of, I have elected to switch OBs and get an OB at the hospital at which my surgeon works, so that she can be on call if I need assistance. I am having a planned ceserian so hopefully nothing will go wrong and mess up my pouch, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Anyhow, for those who have had a baby with a j pouch, did you take into consideration the expeirnece your OB had with j pouches? For example, when I mentioned a ceserian was recommended (to my OB), he was like oh, I never heard that, but I can talk to your doc as we get closer and make a plan if that’s the route you want to go. He seems on track for my to deliver vaginally which again, I’d rather not do bc I don’t want to mess up my pouch. Also, I have mentioned my previous obstructions and how my bloodwork has been ok over the map with potassium and magnesium. He didn’t seem concerned and didn’t seem like he needed to keep an eye on that stuff. Just seemed a little odd that he’s so laid back. I’d feel more comfortable with someone who knows the ins and outs of my pouch, and if the surgeon that I’ve worked with could be the one on call rather than someone new.

I also still have a high sed rate (which he says goes up in pregnancy), high c reactive protein and some other wonky stuff on my recent bloodwork from my other gastro doc. Gastro suggested I follow up with my OB but OB didn’t seem concerned.

How do I look up a doc who has experience with This sort of this thing? I did call my surgeon to see if she has recommendations. Other than that, i may just do cold calls and see who is accepting new patients. Thoughts?

Hi and Congratulations on your baby. I had my daughter in Sep 2016 about 18 months after having my final j-pouch surgery. I didn't return to the hospital where I had my surgeries because it was 3.5 hours away. My OB-GYN was familiar with j-pouches and UC but had never had a patient with a j-pouch. My surgeon had already told me that I would not be able to have a natural childbirth so I knew from the beginning I would have a scheduled C-section . I was at a large Level 1 Trauma center so they did have a colorectal surgeon that they had briefed on my condition and was standing by if needed. I did fine throughout my pregnancy however, I didn't gain much weight and I did need to take some iron. Towards the end, the pressure of the baby on my j-pouch was pretty intense and the urgency was pretty bad but not like the pre-surgery days. I had a mild case of preeclampsia which everyone was much more concerned about. The day of my C-section everything went perfect. My husband asked the Dr. if they could see the j-pouch and he replied No and we aren't going to go looking for it either. I was comfortable with the care I got during my pregnancy. It was pretty tough at the end of the pregnancy. I have since been diagnosed with PSC so I don't think it is something I will do again. My little girl just turned 2 and she is blessing enough!