One for the mummys

[andreagillespieuk]

Hi everyone,

If you've read any of my former posts you'll know i am due to be married in July (reporting that fact never gets boring! :thumright:

Anyway, i've never really entertained the idea of starting a family untill now, my partner and i have decided we would like to start trying for a baby as soon as we're wed and i'd just like to know what your experiences of pregnancy and crohns have been like? Did you have to go off your meds? were you monitored more closely? did you have flares or did your symptoms die down. Ive heard crohns can go into remission when pregnant but i guess it depends on the person?

I've also heard it can be more difficult to fall pregnant when you have crohns i'm 35 now and so i have age against me could crohns be a problem too?

Any insight you can give me into your own experiences would be very appreciated

Many thanks
Andie x

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Andie,

I am currently 29weeks pregnant and doing very well both baby and crohn's wise. I have always been of the thought process that your best to make sure the tum is fully settled before trying, this way your chances of conceiving increases and you are less likely to have problems during the pregnancy - I was in remission when me and hubby started trying and it only took 2 months for me to fall pregnant!

Med wise I did wonder about stopping them but my doc has experience with treating pregnant women with 6-mp and said that it was better to be on this rather than having a massive flare up because I stopped taking it. It means I will not be able to breastfeed but again it's better for me to be in good health when baby arrives.

When it comes to antenatal care I have to stay on folic acid for the entire pregnancy rather than the normal first 3 months, I am also having a couple of extra scans at 30 and 34 weeks so make sure baby is gaining his weight due to the malabsorbtion issues that can occur with crohn's. I also had an extra couple of appts at the hospital both with my GI and the baby doc so they can keep an eye on things. What has been a positive for me is that even though I have now had an op I have been told currently there is no reason why I cannot have a natural birth.

I hope this helps!

 

[CLynn]

Hi Andie!
Like you, I was diagnosed with Crohn's while going to college and working full time to pay for it. My first GI was fantastic, knew so much about the disease. He asked me to do my best to NOT get pregnant while flaring, because the beginning of pregnancy and right after birth are key times to bring flares on, due to hormones no doubt. He told me if I did flare during, they would control it with medicines they knew to be safe. But in all honesty, I felt better during both my pregnancies than I ever had normally since being diagnosed. And I got pregnant with my 2nd at 34, had him at 35. It took me a bit longer to get pregnant at 34 than it did at 28, but there could be many reasons for that.

 

[StaceyQ]

i had my second child, i was monitored every month by my consultant and a midwife/consultant, Afte ri had my 2nd they looked after me brillaintly.

My medication stayed the same all the way through.

Good luck x

 

[andreagillespieuk]

Thank you so much for all your responses, i never thought i'd ever get broody but i guess meeting the right guy has changed my outlook on life..we've even chosen names already!...i do worry that with my age and health issues that it might be difficult or may not even happen, but i figure whats meant to be is meant to be.

All your information and advice is really helpful so thanks again x

 

[Astra]

Hiya Andie

I didn't know I had Crohn's when I fell pregnant with my two, they are 18 and 21 now.
But...the horrible symptoms that I was experiencing went, I felt so well during pregnancy, the best I'd ever felt.
Even tho I didn't know I had Crohn's way back then, I got pregnant straight away, not much trying! Easy Peasy.
I wasn't on any meds, so can't comment on that, but from what I've read on here, it's safer for you and the baby to stay on meds such as Azathioprine during pregnancy.
good luck xxx

 

[Christie]

I had Crohns when having both my daughters (they are 14 and 11 now) and just like Astra, was the best i have ever been during both, before my second I was having a flare up and as soon as I became pregnant I was fine and the syptoms went, good luck

 

[andreagillespieuk]

Hi everyone,

Just thought i would update you....my wedding day was wonderful and after 2 attempts of trying for a bubba we have conceived! I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant and totally neurotic! I was so shocked at how quickly it happened! but we are both so so excited

Do you guys have any tips on dealing with constipation? its so bad and another shock to me seen as i haven't really had a solid poo for 10 years...i even tore my bottom the other night!! I've bought tons of fiber rich food, this won't put me at risk of flaring will it? i've also got some fiber gel but its not making much difference.

Also when you were pregnant how did you feel about taking your medications, i know i need to take them to stay well but it really scares me

Andie x

 

[kimmidwife]

Andrea,
Number one increase your water intake!!!! Your body needs double the amount when you are pregnant which is probably contributing to the constipation. Drink small amounts constantly throughout the day. Ask your doctor to recommend medication for constipation. I highly recommend prunes or prune juice they really work.
Congrats on getting pregnant so fast.
Do stay on your meds, I know it is scarey but flares during pregnancy are not fun!