anyone crohn's and pregnancy?

rosielx

I have an 18 month old daughter and was diagnosed with crohn's disease when I was 32 weeks pregnant with her. I had a terrible pregnancy with abdominal pain from an undiagnosed grumbling appendix which burst late on in the pregnancy and was removed at 32 weeks along with part of my bowel. My waters broke at 34 weeks leading to a 36 hour induction which failed, an emergency caesarian and another operation as my bowel had fused to a fallopian tube. The Crohn's disease actaully saved me from peritonitus and my baby from still birth/abortion as it wrapped around the appendix preventing me from getting blood poisoning. The got severe PND. Despite all of this I'm broody again and don't know what to do!

My partner is supportive and would like another baby if my health can cope. The crohns is in remission and as along as I don't eat vegetables or salad its fine. I'm back at work part time and we can afford to have another baby with no problem. I have no close family and no chance of support from them because they were horrified by what happened the first time around and told me not to do it again!

I just wondered if there was anyone esle here who has crohns and has had a normal pregnancy? I would be happy to have a caesarian again but just worried about premature birth/miscarrige etc

inkie

Hi

I don't have crohn's, but am a MW and have looked after some suffers with it who have had normal pregnancies - some found that thier's actually improved during pregnancy. This is a case for you to discuss with your care providers, as they will have all of the info on your particular case and will be able to advise you accordingly. There's a lot of scar tissue knocking about, and the fact that you had LSCS last doesn't mean that you would necessarily have to have another. Hope you come to decision that is right for you all.

rosielx

Thanks for that. My little girl things that my tummy and its scars is very good for boucing on. Appointment with gastroentrology clinic in a week. When I had my daughter they did say you're not planning to do this again are you but becuase I was high on morphine at the time I don't know if he was serious :rolleyes:

inkie

When I had my daughter they did say you're not planning to do this again are you but becuase I was high on morphine at the time I don't know if he was serious :rolleyes:

Probably said that due to 'everything happening at once' -i.e. being newly diagnosed/appendix/Pre-labour rupture of membs/LSCS. May also worth making contact with the MW at yr surgery/in the area, as the gastro. may well not be the best person to advise you from an obs and gynae point of view.

Supermom

Hi

I have crohn's and have had for 11 years, I'm 31 and have three children, a little boy who's 7years, a princess who's 22 months and a little boy who's 7 months (I'm mad, I know!) every single one of my pregnancys has been different, no problems with my first, pain and flare ups with my second was induced at 37 weeks as I just couldn't cope anymore, but I was right as rain two weeks later, and a mixed bag with my third.

I don't think you can make any predictions as to how things will go, just try to remember that even healthy people have hellish pregnancy's

And what ever you decide don't let family put you off, my parents would like to have me wrapped in bubble wrap and have been against each of my pregnancy's (They do however adore their grandchildren) in the end its your body and your life, children are a great motivator on those days when you really don't feel well enough to get out of bed!

Good Luck!:j

AnnieH

I don't have crohn's but I have ulcerative colitis which isn't as bad but quite similar. I too found that pregnancy alliviated my symptoms only to have them come back with a vengeance once baby was born.

I have 3 kids btw, and I wouldn't advise you one way or another, as only you know how much you want notherbaby and what you're prepared to put your body through.

I would say though ask for the advise of health professionals, but I wouldn't think anything was set in srone.

rosielx

Thanks for that. At least I know that people with bowel conditions can have "normal" pregnancies.:rolleyes: