HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Planning/Preparing for a healthy pregnancy

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/22/2013 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!

I am new to the forum and came here looks for a community/resources as my husband and I hope to embark on a new journey in our lives--parenthood!

As it says in my signature (at least I think I set that up right), I was diagnosed with UC in May 2011. I have been on Remicade 5mg/kg since November 2011 and started off at every 8 weeks, but recently went to every 6 weeks. (This was due to have some issues with arthritis and bowel issues recurring at about the 7 week mark in treatment). I take other Vitamins and supplements to help me with side effects of the UC and Remicade--especially immuno-suppressant aspect--but for the most part I am lucky to be symptom free thanks to the Remicade.

Anyway, my husband and I have been having discussions about starting a family. His biggest concern is the effects of my medications/disease on the pregnancy/fetus. I have done some reading of articles from medical journals and posts in this forum and others and it seems the general consensus is that Remicade is okay during pregnancy up to the 30th or 32nd week and treatment can resume after the child is born. I am also very encouraged by the number of stories I am reading from women who have had healthy children and pregnancies while on Remicade.

So I guess my question is this: Is there anything I can/should be doing to help better prepare my body for pregnancy? Any health or dietary changes? If you have been pregnant while on Remicade, did anything come up that you didn't expect? Was there anything that didn't go quite as planned and/or anything that helped things go more smoothly?

In the past few months, I have been gradually removing gluten from my diet. I tested negative for celiac, but have heard that it may still be a good move. I also gained 75+ lbs during the year that I was on steady, high doses of Prednisone before going on the Remicade and losing the weight again has been an uphill battle, but it is a priority.

Just looking for a little advice or encouragement from folks who have been there! Hoping to to put my husband's mind at ease about some of his concerns. Thanks in advance!

Sam
Posted 7/22/2013 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have been asking these same questions and doing a lot of research.

The consensus is that Remicaid is fine ALL the way through pregnancy--told to me by Dr. Stephen Targan, head of the IBD Center at Cedars Sinai. And you can also breastfeed--just no live vaccinations.

I first conceived in Jan '13, by accident, during a nasty "flare" (I was shocked!) Bit went on to miscarry at 7w2d. I've had a lot of issues since then & just started Remicaid myself...the docs stressed to me NOT to get preggo while I was sick, that it's important to be in remission. I wouldn't wish a miscarriage on anyone, so if Remicaid is controlling your disease be thankful! Conceive now while you are healthy! You never know how long it will last. Good luck!
Posted 7/22/2013 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
I strongly recommend seeking out a perinatal (high risk) OB. They can help you make an informed decision about conceiving and then monitor you throughout the pregnancy. It will, if nothing else, give you and your husband peace of mind. Good luck!
Posted 7/22/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'm doing IVF (on stims right now and ET/ER next week : ) and have seen a few high risk Dr's. all say to stay on remicade and I think it's up to 32 weeks they will give it to you.

The best thing you can do is to be as healthy as you can, take pre natal vitamins starting now if you are not and go see your obgyn and Gastro Doc and start from there. I also take extra folic acid and calcium/vit D.

I put on weight w/prednisone and its so hard to take off, I have lost about 20 pounds of it. I go to the gym a few days a week, building muscle/cardio even if not losing weight is a good thing and when your body is used to working out before pregnancy its better for you and you can modify those workouts during pregnancy and it should be beneficial.

Good luck to you!!!
Posted 7/22/2013 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Also, I was so out of shape after being sick so long I was nervous about going to the gym and got a personal trainer it was so worth it.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply