C-section with crohns

[Kerry]

Im 17 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I saw a feotal consultant yesterday as im high risk in pregnancy due to crohns. I also have a herniated disc in my back. The consultant said she would work with a back specialist to determine whether i could try for a natural delivery if they thought id be able to push or whether id need a C-section. were not sure at this stage if i can have an epidural.

Obviously im a long way off the birth yet and other things may dictate the approach but she concerned me a little with the crohns comments. She said a C-section should be avoided in any chronic illness including crohns. She said moving the bowel during the operation has unknown consequences and could cause a flare. And the op is a big shock to the body etc.

By the time the birth comes ill hopefully be around 40 weeks. Ill have had infliximab at 24 weeks (last one so should wear off around 32 weeks) and been on Azathioprine since 13 weeks.

Just after peoples thoughts on C-section and does it increase the chances of a flare up afterwards?

 

[Ihurt]

I think any kind of surgery could cause a flare due to the stress surgery puts on your body as a whole. I guess the best thing would be to talk to your gastro and your gyne about this and tell them your concerns. Obviously a nautural birth would be best in my opinion. C-sections should only be done if absolutely nessasary. I mean with sacr tissue and all that is not good and should be avoided if possible. But I would get both your gastro and gyne on board with one another so they can help you through this together..

Im 17 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I saw a feotal consultant yesterday as im high risk in pregnancy due to crohns. I also have a herniated disc in my back. The consultant said she would work with a back specialist to determine whether i could try for a natural delivery if they thought id be able to push or whether id need a C-section. were not sure at this stage if i can have an epidural.

Obviously im a long way off the birth yet and other things may dictate the approach but she concerned me a little with the crohns comments. She said a C-section should be avoided in any chronic illness including crohns. She said moving the bowel during the operation has unknown consequences and could cause a flare. And the op is a big shock to the body etc.

By the time the birth comes ill hopefully be around 40 weeks. Ill have had infliximab at 24 weeks (last one so should wear off around 32 weeks) and been on Azathioprine since 13 weeks.

Just after peoples thoughts on C-section and does it increase the chances of a flare up afterwards?

 

[gemarie]

Hi Kerry,
I was advised by my consultant to have a planned section, however my initial illness and consequent diagnosis of crohns was caused by a traumatic natural birth. I did not have a bad flare after the section and in some ways am very glad i agreed to it. The downsides were that I did suffer worse health after it, but then after having a baby and having to care for it there are few who are on top of the world. Also because crohns and NSAIDs are a no no I was only given paracetamol and cocodamol to recover with, apart from 3 doses of tramadol in the hospital, after which i couldnt have more because of something to do with addiction risks i think. It was not easy recovering with very little pain relief, but my health did get better reasonably quickly. My biggest pieces of advice would be (if you choose a section) to stay in hospital as long as you can, accept all the help offered to you and do not take too much cocodamol after the birth... BMs are hell with too much of that stuff and with stitches to avoid straining.

 

[gemarie]

I should also mention the positives shouldnt i lol . . the whole procedure was lovely and relaxed, the epidural was not painful at all, i guess because I knew i was sort of in control, and the immediate recovery experience (straight after the op etc) was so calm and quite that I got to just hold my baby and not feel all sweaty and tired.

 

[StaceyQ]

hey

I had my second child and also have a back problem.

I had a natural birth and was 7 and a half minute labour. I think both have risks so go with what you fell more confortable doing.

Good luck and hope you have an easy labour. x