I've always wanted babies-more than most people but the thought of possibly passing along my Crohn's to a future child breaks my heart. I couldn't handle seeing a child go through what I've gone through. I'm not in a rush since I am not married but I'd like to start thinking about my options or others, possibly adoption. Thoughts on Crohn's and having babies? Is it worth the risk?
Crohn's and having babies
- Thread starter Jmoon
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Lots of people with Crohn's have normal pregnancies and healthy children. Though some studies suggest a genetic link, there is no guarantee that you will pass it on to a child. Do other people in your family have Crohn's? Don't let Crohn's get in the way of having a child if that is your dream.
Lots of people with Crohn's have normal pregnancies and healthy children. Though some studies suggest a genetic link, there is no guarantee that you will pass it on to a child. Do other people in your family have Crohn's? Don't let Crohn's get in the way of having a child if that is your dream.
I have Crohn's, as well as my brother and sister, so I know that it certainly runs in my genes. I do worry from time to time that my little girl will one day end up with it.
Having said that, SHE IS THE BEST THING THAT EVERY HAPPENED TO ME.
Don't let "what if's" dictate your life.
Having said that, SHE IS THE BEST THING THAT EVERY HAPPENED TO ME.
Don't let "what if's" dictate your life.
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Life is still worth living with Crohn's. I don't think it should be a reason for not having children. The only reason I can think of why a person with Crohn's may have to think carefully about whether to have children is not because the child may inherit it, but if the potential parent is so ill that they wouldn't be able to properly take care of a child. I don't think Crohn's is usually severe enough to warrant that though. Many people with Crohn's are excellent parents, despite dealing with the extra stress of chronic illness.
I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences with Crohn's that they have made you feel this way. I think we've all had a least a few low points when we wonder if it's worth it. I hope you'll be able to find that it is, and that if you did have a child who had Crohn's, it would still be possible for him or her to have a happy life.
I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences with Crohn's that they have made you feel this way. I think we've all had a least a few low points when we wonder if it's worth it. I hope you'll be able to find that it is, and that if you did have a child who had Crohn's, it would still be possible for him or her to have a happy life.
I can definitely see your concern. I have on child, he is 21. I had him way before I ever got sick though. I have not been dx with crohns yet, I am still trying to find out what is wrong with me. But I have been chronically sick for the last 9 years with all sorts of stuff. My son is not my husbands biological son, my husband did adopt him though. My husband and I did want to have a baby, but we both decided not to. I mean for one, I am just too sick and could not imagine caring for a little one feeling how I do. And two, I also did not want to risk havig a baby and passing along all my health issues to him or her. I mean my mom was chronically sick too so it is no wonder I have health issues. A lot of times these things do get passed on. My best friends hubby has UC and well, his mom has crohns. I mean he surely got the UC because his mom has the crohns and passed it on. I mean just because you have crohns does not automatically mean if you have a kid, that they will get it, but there is a strong chance they can get it.
Deciding on having a baby when you have a chronic illness is purely a decision you and your spouse are going to have to make together. No one can know if your child will or will not get the disease passed on to him or her. I mean it is true you can have a child and he or she will be perfectly healthy. My brother is pretty healthy for the most part, yet I am very sick. I guess I got all my moms genes
. It can go either way. No way to tell.
QUOTE=Jmoon;611594]I've always wanted babies-more than most people but the thought of possibly passing along my Crohn's to a future child breaks my heart. I couldn't handle seeing a child go through what I've gone through. I'm not in a rush since I am not married but I'd like to start thinking about my options or others, possibly adoption. Thoughts on Crohn's and having babies? Is it worth the risk?[/QUOTE]
Deciding on having a baby when you have a chronic illness is purely a decision you and your spouse are going to have to make together. No one can know if your child will or will not get the disease passed on to him or her. I mean it is true you can have a child and he or she will be perfectly healthy. My brother is pretty healthy for the most part, yet I am very sick. I guess I got all my moms genes
. It can go either way. No way to tell.QUOTE=Jmoon;611594]I've always wanted babies-more than most people but the thought of possibly passing along my Crohn's to a future child breaks my heart. I couldn't handle seeing a child go through what I've gone through. I'm not in a rush since I am not married but I'd like to start thinking about my options or others, possibly adoption. Thoughts on Crohn's and having babies? Is it worth the risk?[/QUOTE]
Although my daughter was not planned, she is the best thing that ever happened to me...do I worry she may have bowel issue? Sure...but she could also break bones, get other illnesses etc.....
I do take care of myself better too, because I have someone who depends on me to be there.....
A couple years ago, my Mom was told after a routine colonoscopy that she has Crohns! NEVER a symptom, no meds etc...but apparently some sign was found...so, it is even possible to have it in the family and not know about it (before this, I was the only known person to have it in my family).
I do take care of myself better too, because I have someone who depends on me to be there.....
A couple years ago, my Mom was told after a routine colonoscopy that she has Crohns! NEVER a symptom, no meds etc...but apparently some sign was found...so, it is even possible to have it in the family and not know about it (before this, I was the only known person to have it in my family).
I was diagnosed while in college, and like you, can find no one in my family with Crohn's as far back as we can go, 3 generations on both sides. They have never given enough evidence for me to say that yes, it's genetic. So I never, ever thought of giving up my dream of marrying and having my babies. My daughter is almost 19 and my son is almost 12, so far neither of them has shown any signs of disease.
If you want children, don't let Crohn's take that dream away.
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I think I remember reading somewhere that there is only like an 8 percent chance of passing it to your children? I wish I could remember where I read that! My brother has crohns as well as I, but it's strange, because we have different fathers, and there has been no evidence of any bowel diseases from my mothers side of the family.I am 99 percent sure my father has it, although he has yet to be diagnosed.
Anyways although I have been dealing with symptoms since I was 19 (now 32), I wasn't diagnosed until I was pregnant with my 5th son.It was a little too late to think about all the "what ifs".I am now expecting my 6th son in July,and I think if we let all of the "what ifs" in life bother us, none of us would ever carry children.I would just take life as it comes, I have had all my boys vaginally, and all of them have been very healthy babies and healthy pregnancies.
There is so much more in life that should be enjoyed with children.They make life beautiful and worth living,IMO.
Good luck with everything in the future.Don't let Crohns disease discourage you from your dreams of child-bearing. xx
Anyways although I have been dealing with symptoms since I was 19 (now 32), I wasn't diagnosed until I was pregnant with my 5th son.It was a little too late to think about all the "what ifs".I am now expecting my 6th son in July,and I think if we let all of the "what ifs" in life bother us, none of us would ever carry children.I would just take life as it comes, I have had all my boys vaginally, and all of them have been very healthy babies and healthy pregnancies.
There is so much more in life that should be enjoyed with children.They make life beautiful and worth living,IMO.
Good luck with everything in the future.Don't let Crohns disease discourage you from your dreams of child-bearing. xx
Wow, thanks Everyone for relieving my concerns/fears! It seems not too many people in this thread had issues getting pregnant which is great news since my GI doc told me that it's harder for people with Crohn's to get pregnant. My fears of passing anything on genetics wise have subsided--if I get pregnant, great! If not, great. Now how to get pregnant is another story
Ooo...something to possibly look forward to? The things we look forward to as Crohnies...
I know, right? I embarrassed my husband in the pharmacy once, lol, when the pharmacist was warning me about taking too much iron, and how it can constipate. I told him "I have Crohn's disease, I dream of constipation." My hubs about died, lol!
I was diagnosed with CD after developing a fistula while I pregnant with my son. He is three and his 8 month old sister are the best things that have ever happened to me! My father has CD and we suspect that my brother does too he just wont get checked. I can only hope and pray that my children don't develope this pain in the butt disease since it is obviously in our genetic makeup but we shall see. I am terrified that my children will develope it but I also have hope that a cure may be found in my life time or theirs!
Amazing...lol
Literally, right? Yes, praying for a cure for us all!
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I had my 2year old son before I got ill my gasto said its still not proven that it genetic over gone back 2 the late 1700s both sides of the family and I'm THE only one with crohns.
My friend has crohns she has 3 healthy girls with no signs of crohns.
I've spoken to my doctor as me and my partner are planning another one and he said its easier to get pregnant with crohns.
My friend caught one after the other with hers 13 months between the oldest and middle and 18 months between the middle and youngest all girls.
Don't let crohns stop you from being a parent
My friend has crohns she has 3 healthy girls with no signs of crohns.
I've spoken to my doctor as me and my partner are planning another one and he said its easier to get pregnant with crohns.
My friend caught one after the other with hers 13 months between the oldest and middle and 18 months between the middle and youngest all girls.
Don't let crohns stop you from being a parent
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Well, the way I look at it (also absolutely no family history for three generations), I'm planning on having kids as long as I can get to a good point in medications/flaring to do so. And plus, now that you know Crohn's is a risk for offspring, you might be able to get a diagnosis for your child faster because you know symptoms/history and all that.
