Members angelkisses98 Posted October 9, 2009 Members Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 As most of you know, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease about a year ago. I am now FINALLY expecting. I have been doing LOTS of research on the effects child birth has on Crohn's. Where I don't want to have a c-section, from what I have read a c-section will greatly reduce the chances of a flare up. I was wondering if any of you know of anyone who has Crohn's and has had a child, and their experiences with child birth. What option did they chose, and did they have a flare up. I am trying to weigh my options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leslieanne Posted October 10, 2009 Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Angelkisses - over the past 16 years I've cared for 5 OB patients with Crohn's dz. All of them had different experiences during pregnancy and delivery. Only one opted for an elective C-section - mainly because her Crohn's had been particularly problematic during the pregnancy. The others opted for a vaginal delivery and one of them ended up with a C-section due to fetal distress (unrelated to the fact that she had Crohn's). All five had no significant change in their Crohn's after delivery. Needless to say this is a very small sample size. While the labor process can increase GI motility and inflammation - it doesn't always. In addition proceeding with a C-section is not without it's own set of risk. Patients with Crohn's dz can have adhesions (when things that are not normally stuck together are stuck together) without any prior surgeries or infections due to the recurrent inflammation of the bowels from Crohns. Adhesions can increase the surgical risk.While I understand the desire to hear what others have experienced, it is important to remember those experiences provide information about what might occur, they in no way indicated what your experience will be. I would strongly encourage you to discuss this in detail with your OB and if at all possible with a perinatologist (specialist in high risk pregnancies) - the appropriate course of action would depend on your personal history - how long you've had Crohns, the severity of your disease state, whether or not you are taking medications - if you are taking medications daily or intermittantly based on symptoms, what triggers flares for you, if you have had any surgeries due to the Crohns, what your prenatal pregnancy course is with respect to the Crohns, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members angelkisses98 Posted October 10, 2009 Author Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Angelkisses - over the past 16 years I've cared for 5 OB patients with Crohn's dz. All of them had different experiences during pregnancy and delivery. Only one opted for an elective C-section - mainly because her Crohn's had been particularly problematic during the pregnancy. The others opted for a vaginal delivery and one of them ended up with a C-section due to fetal distress (unrelated to the fact that she had Crohn's). All five had no significant change in their Crohn's after delivery. Needless to say this is a very small sample size. While the labor process can increase GI motility and inflammation - it doesn't always. In addition proceeding with a C-section is not without it's own set of risk. Patients with Crohn's dz can have adhesions (when things that are not normally stuck together are stuck together) without any prior surgeries or infections due to the recurrent inflammation of the bowels from Crohns. Adhesions can increase the surgical risk.While I understand the desire to hear what others have experienced, it is important to remember those experiences provide information about what might occur, they in no way indicated what your experience will be. I would strongly encourage you to discuss this in detail with your OB and if at all possible with a perinatologist (specialist in high risk pregnancies) - the appropriate course of action would depend on your personal history - how long you've had Crohns, the severity of your disease state, whether or not you are taking medications - if you are taking medications daily or intermittantly based on symptoms, what triggers flares for you, if you have had any surgeries due to the Crohns, what your prenatal pregnancy course is with respect to the Crohns, etc.My OB says one thing, my GI says another. My GI's father happens to be a high risk OB in Ohio(I think), and my GI discussed my case with him(after asking my permission), and his father also agrees a c-section is best. I was diagnosed with Crohn's a year ago. It is under control with meds and diet. As long as I stick to my diet, and take my meds (Pantasa and Remicade) I have not had any problems. I have not had any surgeries for my Crohn's, and have a small patch of scar tissue in my Ileum due to my last flare up. My GI also suggest IV steriods while in the hospital during and after child birth, and oral steriods for a short time after to prevent or reduce any flare up, and a low residual diet to reduce the stress on my intestines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leslieanne Posted October 11, 2009 Members Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Sounds as if you are getting good advise. Since you are early in your pregnancy it would be reasonable to anticipate doing the C-section, while at the same time keeping your options open based on how you do during the pregnancy. A final decision doesn't need to be made until 36-37 weeks (unless of course there are complications during the pregnancy which would require that you deliver sooner then 37 weeks) The fact that you are on meds to keep the Crohn's under control is definately a reflection of the severity of the disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members angelkisses98 Posted October 11, 2009 Author Members Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Sounds as if you are getting good advise. Since you are early in your pregnancy it would be reasonable to anticipate doing the C-section, while at the same time keeping your options open based on how you do during the pregnancy. A final decision doesn't need to be made until 36-37 weeks (unless of course there are complications during the pregnancy which would require that you deliver sooner then 37 weeks) The fact that you are on meds to keep the Crohn's under control is definately a reflection of the severity of the disease.Before starting the Remicade, I was taking 60mg of prednisone a day. Anything less then that I would get deathly sick. I was able to wean off of them once the Remicade kicked in. I also take 8 500mg of Pantasa daily. I have to take my Pantasa same time every day. If I am more then 2 hours late, there is hell to pay with my stomach. The only problem I have had with the Crohn's is constipation from the pre-natels. It causes a pretty nasty stomach destention until I am able to use the bathroom. I found that taking my pre-natels every other day, and taking a one a day vitamin, with an extra folic acid and dha pill, has helped greatly with that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leslieanne Posted October 11, 2009 Members Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Regarding the prenatal vits - another option would be kids chewable vitamins - 2 of them gives you pretty close to what is in one prenatal. Typically much easier on one's stomach, no after taste, etc. I often recommend it for those with significant N/V or other GI issues during pregnancy. Maybe something you want to talk with your OB about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members angelkisses98 Posted October 12, 2009 Author Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Regarding the prenatal vits - another option would be kids chewable vitamins - 2 of them gives you pretty close to what is in one prenatal. Typically much easier on one's stomach, no after taste, etc. I often recommend it for those with significant N/V or other GI issues during pregnancy. Maybe something you want to talk with your OB about.(I have an OB apt tomorrow afternoon. I just spent 2 hours in the ER due to a lovely UTI...2nd one this pregnancy. I was prone to them before the pregnancy though. No ultrasound, but heard the heartbeat on the dopler and the heartbeat was 147 beats per minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.