Pregnancy and azathioprine

[bettyboop12]

I have been on aza for 7 months now. Things started to settle properly after 6 months.

The issue I have is that just before I had a flare last year we were trying for a baby then obviously had to stop, then 5 months into flare I was put on aza.

I want to start again.. I'm 34 and feel time is ticking!

My fiance is concerned about me taking aza at the same time of being pregnant but I'm concerned about coming off it too!

My gi said it was okay to take it at same time but advised me to wait... I mentioned it to him back in January.

I am waiting to have a colonoscopy since I not had one for 9 years and want to start after that all being well.

Has anyone been okay on I.e. Not been flaring and decided to have children?

I know studies have shown that there is a balance in staying on aza I.e. Staying on it outway the risks of not whilst pregnant. But, I feel that I am taking a risk either way... Come off it and risk a flare or stay on it and risk pregnancy complications.

 

[PetalHK]

Hi Betty,
I was on azathioprine for several years and luckily had two 'Crohns free' pregnancies. And both my beautiful daughters (now 6yrs & 5yrs) are thriving.... They are perfect .
After many duscussions with Dr's & husband at the time, we thought that it would be worse to take me off the drug & risk a flare up during pregnancy.

I had 2 planned c-sections (not the easy option when u've had lots of previous bowel, stomach, Ilostomy ops) but needs must. I was also advised against breast feeding. My first was born just before my 35th birthday & gave birth again when I was 36.

It wasn't easy, but so worth it.

My advice: I'd take any & all help offered, put ur feet up, sleep as much as you can, take it easy & enjoy the experience!
Best of luck!

 

[bettyboop12]

Hi

Thank you for your reply, it's encouraging to knowledge know that there are possibilities.

Xxx

 

[MariaK]

Hi, I have been on azathropine for 3 years , came off them in may this year. Recently had a camera to confirm my Crohn's is reoccurring. However no pain or discomfort. Doc has advised I go back on aza, however we have been trying for bubba. And after having an eptopic pregnancy in janurary this year I found out yesterday that I'm pregnant. As you can imagine I'm happy but also concerned. Not knowing weather to go back on the meds, and having the constant worry of every time I go to the loo....

Any advice , support, help very much welcomed thanks

 

[bettyboop12]

Congratulations!

To be honest, I'm not sure if they will put you on aza now, I know from starting aza, the side affects of your body getting used to the medication may do more damage than good. But that is just my opinion.

Be interesting to know if anyone started the aza whilst they are pregnant. I have heard that symptoms settle when women are pregnant but I guess that's different from one person to the next.

I would make app with gi to discuss your pregnancy as they will probably want to monitor more closely.

 

[Patricia56]

Here are links to some reputable resources that discuss pregnancy and Crohn's. The second is dated 2009 so there may be more recent opinions that offer different guidance. Overall the opinion seems to be that remission with meds during pregnancy is safe (with a few exceptions) and preferable to risks of flaring.

http://www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/pregnancyfactsheet.pdf

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589848

Overall, maternal health is the most important predictor of a good birth outcome.

And it is true that for some women their CD improves during the first two trimesters because the body is suppressing the immune system to tolerate the pregnancy. This changes in the third trimester according to my reading.

 

[bettyboop12]

Well, here goes... I been given the all clear to start a family!!! My colonoscopy shown very mild colitis... So I'm going to start my folic acid tomorrow.

I'm not too concerned about being on aza at the same time, just so long as I look after myself I hope to be okay.

Then soon we will go forth and multiply!!!

 

[Rebecca85]

Hope everything's going well, just wanted to reassure you as I gave birth to a healthy daughter last year, I was on azathioprine throughout pregnancy and have breastfed while taking it and my daughter shows no signs of any side effects.

I was advised to take a higher dose of folic acid than is usually recommended, so you might want to check if you need to as well.

 

[bettyboop12]

Hi

Thank you for your post, it's quite encouraging to hear. I think as soon as I'm confirmed pregnant I will ask for blood test to see if I'm deficient in anything. I'm still taking folic acid and my aza.

I would like to say I'm pregnant but guess this is another hurdle! I spend most of my teens trying not to get pregnant and when I do want to, it takes ages!!!