Birth Options

[FeeBag]

Hi everyone

I have Crohn's disease - had it for 7 years but have been in remission for the past two years (lucky me).
I am 29 weeks pregnant and all going really well. I am getting nervous about the birth though.......I would love to hear other people's experiences with either natural or c-section births. In particular, I am worried about the tearing that can come with a natural birth - especially with crohn's. Then again, a c-section can't be that great for the body either. My doctor said if it were his own wife or daughter with crohn's, he would do a c-section.
Any good advice??

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Congrats on your pregnancy, FeeBag and welcome to the forum!

Where is your Crohn's located? I've never been pregnant but if I did, I'd have to have a c-section as I've had a rectovaginal fistula. A natural birth would be too risky as any tear etc down there may never heal. I had all of my crohn's in my colon and rectum though. It may be a different case if your crohn's was more in the ileum.

Personally I could go with your doctors advice but it would be interesting to hear other people's experiences.

 

[archie]

Hi congratulations It's so natural to worry about the birth regardless of having crohns or not but that said if your doc is recommending a c section then it does have it's benefits. You obviously get a date for going in and it's a controlled situation. I know it's still surgery but had I been offered one i would have jumped at the chance. As it happened my first was an emergency section and my 2nd was planned however I wasn't diagnosed until after my pregnancies. The midwife asked me at the time did I have a problem with my bowel, not sure why and I never thought anything about it until I was diagnosed. Ru in remission at the minute? Do you have any fistulas? have u needed surgery before? Good luck whatever decide

 

[FeeBag]

Thanks for the comments, Misty.
My Crohn's has moved around quite a bit, making it very hard to treat in the early days.......but it mostly affects my colon and ileum. I have had flare ups involving the rectum too - but luckily no fistulas. Am hoping to keep things that way!!

 

[Ihurt]

Hi. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I am still in the midst of finding out what is wrong with me, have not been dx yet, still going through trying to figure out what is wrong. Anyhow, I have had a c-section. I personally would not want to do surgery unless it was warranted. Remember, with surgery comes scar tissue. I had 2 surgeries, the c-section and then an exploded ectpoic pregnancy. I have scar tissue from both surgeries I am sure. I do understand your fears about tearing down there though. They will usually do an epesiotomy if you need it where they will cut so you wont tear, but yes, if you already have an issue down there, then I can see your concern since it is painful. Maybe talk to your gyne about it and even your gastro doc. Maybe there is something you can do. I remember when I was pregnant my gyne had me do this stretching thing with my two fingers in the vagina.( I know, this sounds so freakish, but she told me to do this because I am so small that if I were to do this stretching thing every day it would make it easier and more flexible down there to prevent a tear. I ended up having to have an emergency c-section though, my baby would not pass through my pelvic bone so I had no choice. I guess I would talk to the gyne and see what she/he thinks.

Hi everyone

I have Crohn's disease - had it for 7 years but have been in remission for the past two years (lucky me).
I am 29 weeks pregnant and all going really well. I am getting nervous about the birth though.......I would love to hear other people's experiences with either natural or c-section births. In particular, I am worried about the tearing that can come with a natural birth - especially with crohn's. Then again, a c-section can't be that great for the body either. My doctor said if it were his own wife or daughter with crohn's, he would do a c-section.
Any good advice??

 

[nitty]

Hi!

Another one here who's had two C-sections, not Crohn's related as I have only recently had bowel issues.

I can understand your anxiety about damage to the birth canal, and I know a couple of people who did have that, but many more that didn't. Perhaps if you have a history of long-term or high-dose steroids there might be more of a risk.

It should be noted that with a C-section, as with any abdominal surgery, there is the potential risk of adhesions forming afterwards which can cause bowel problems.

I think this is one of those cases where the best thing to do is speak to as many people as possible (doctors - GI and Obstetrics, midwives, and of course people who've been there, as you've already done by asking on this forum!) and then you can feel like you can make a properly informed choice. It also means that if things don't go to plan - as they so often don't in childbirth, then at least you'll have some idea of what's going on if the doctors have to take alternative measures. Believe me, it makes it a hell of a lot less frightening if you've done your homework first, as I found out when my first went from a planned home delivery to an emergency C-section.

In the baby magazines there are lots of suggestions for improving 'elasticity' down below, such as drinking raspberry tea (?) and various things for perineal massage. I'm not sure about how effective they are, but that's another thing to look into.

I really hope it all goes well, whatever you decide. Try not to worry too much, and just enjoy being pregnant.

My biggest piece of advice, as I'm sure many will agree, is to sleep as much as you can before your little one appears. And the world will not end just because the ironing isn't done or there's dust on the shelves!!

 

[Lisa]

Hi, welcome and congrats!!!.....I had a c-section, due to having active fistulas at the time...

As far as the recovery - I was in the hospital for 3 days I think after having my daughter, then home....no complications from the c-section either, although I did start to flare after my daughters' birth and went back on medications and eventually Remicade (which took care of the fistulas!)....

 

[LindaS]

I had active Crohn's when I went into labor and was able to deliver vaginally. However, I didn't have any fistulas.

Congratulations on the baby.

 

[Manzyb]

Congratulations on the pregnancy!!!


I had my baby last year. I was in a flare while I was pregnant, the whole time, in my ileum and rectum. My doctor had scheduled a c-section for me. I didn't quite make it to my scheduled date though! I ended up getting cholangitis and pancreatitis while pregnant. We delivered her 3 weeks earlier than she was suppose to be. however, she was so healthy, and after I got over the pancreatitis, I was doing pretty well. The C-section really does hurt and its not a pleasant recovery, but I had no complications or problems at all.

I believe that if I have another child, I will have no fears about the c-section this time, I really think it was the best way to go in my case.

 

[FeeBag]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Your stories and advice have been really helpfull!

 

[Desiree49]

I have had three natural births since I was diagnosed. I did not have any problems or complications. I would research it more because a C-section is surgery and if it is not a risk I would try to avoid it.

 

[Rebecca85]

I spoke to my OB consultant yesterday. He says as I have no surgeries, it shouldn't affect the decision either way. If I want a natural birth (which I do), I can go for it. But if a C-section becomes medically necessary then that is OK too.

 

[Jenamonkey]

I just had a successful natural childbirth. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. I've been diagnosed w crohns since Sept 2009, and in remission during my pregnancy thanks to Remicade (which I continued until my third tri) and prednisone during my first tri. I don't have any fissures or anything, so that might make a difference. I did have third degree tearing but I healed super fast! I was terrified of tearing, but it really wasn't that bad at all. My best friend just had a c section and I have to say the recovery from that is MUcH worse. Im no doctor and I don't know your particular circumstances, but I did want to share my experience with you so you know there are a lot of us out here no had successful vaginal births. I highly recommend the Bradley childbirth classes if you are planning to go drug free. Knowing what to expect and having aprepared partner made all the difference for us.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

 

[FeeBag]

Hi everyone

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I thought I would let everyone know the outcome of the pregnancy - my waters broke at 33 weeks and I went into labour. Because I am so used to lower back and lower abdominal pain, I thought little of it and I also just presumed increased discharge was normal in 3rd trimester, so I only went to hospital TWO days later when the fluid was enough to soak the bed. After three days of labour (the doctors tried postponing the labour, but it didn't really work) I eventually had an emergency ceasar, as the doctor found out I had a Strep B infection and baba had to come out then and there. My experience with the ceasar was fantastic - they let my husband play music while they worked and the recovery after the ceasar was easy peasy (I think I had a fantastic obstetrician!). I take my hat off to all the ladies who managed natural birth with no pain relief - those contractions were hectic towards my third day!!!!! I gave birth to a baby boy - weighing in at just 1.9kgs. He's home with us now, gaining weight, and all is well! So all the 'planning' didn't work out in the end, but Im glad my baby got to choose for me in the end AND I got to experience natural labour as well as a ceasar. Thanks again for all the advice!!

 

[Txarmywife]

Congrats on your baby boy!!

 

[Rebecca85]

Congratulations!

 

[tots]

I had two natural and one c-section. I was not the least bit upset by the c-section. I felt whatever the Dr said was best for my baby. (now 17- 6'1 and 210) I think though natural if you can as any surgry can cause adhesions- so one more thing that can give you abd pain. I do not know f Chrons is bothered by adhesions. Does anyone know??

Lauren

 

[Jenamonkey]

Congratulations on your new addition!!!

 

[Christie]

congratulations, I had my first daughter natural and really wish I didnt as it caused me to get a fistular which I still have (she is 14 on Friday) when I became pregnant with my second daughter I was advised to have a c section because of what happened, I would recommend anyone to go for the c section!

 

[MariaK]

Hi congrats on your baby, could I please ask was you on any medication whilst being in remission for 2 years and whilst pregnant??

I have been in remission now for at least a year, and am on Azathioprine but reall want to start a family early next year but wan to be medication free. Thanks x