Yes, you CAN have children!Apparently theres lots of discussion and worry for women with IBD that they wont be able to start a family. I thought Id spread this story around, since nobody ever told me I COULDNT have kids just because I have Crohns, and I never even saw it as a roadblock! Yes, you have to prepare more and be more careful... but dont assume that just because you suffer from IBD that you cant have children. Heres a great story done by Medical Edge: Scroll down to February and read "Crohns and pregnancy."
Copy and paste:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge/television.html
Reply posted for JNA.
Thanks for this post!
I was diagnosed at the age of 25, and most of the literature I read at the time (2004) did nothing but shatter my hopes of one day having a child. This post gave me renewed hope!
Reply posted for lbcrawford2003.
I had my second child after my first bowel re-section. Nobody ever told me that I should have had a C section. The pressure of delivering him threw me into a 6 month flare. This was 41 years ago when they knew very little about Crohns.
Reply posted for JNA.
I hadn't been diagnosed yet with Crohn's when I got pregnant (age 33!). I had been misdiagnosed for 10 years! I felt the best I ever felt being pregnant and 2 yrs later(age 35) had a second child. It was after that second birth that I was given my diagnoses. I would say, talk with your doctor, get meds right and go for it. My world is so blessed because of my 2 daughters. I would go through it all again for my girls.
Reply posted for durango18.
Durango18,
There is light at the end of the tunnel. I had uncontrollable symptoms with my UC for about a year. High dose steroids helped but I couldn't get off. Finally I was put on 6mp and after 6 months, I felt amazing. I finally had my life back. Not sure about the med you are on. Haven't heard of it. Have you tried 6mp? It seems to work for many people who have a hard time gettign off steroids.
Reply posted for JNA.
Thank you for bringing this up! My husband and I are going to starting trying for a family next month, and I've been searching the web for info. There's just not a lot of information out there on IBD and pregnancy. I'm also stuggling to find an OB who is well versed in pregnancy and IBD. I guess my GI and I will have to work harder to educate the OB before and during my (hopeful) pregnancy.
Reply posted for durango18.
It's important that you try and get your symptoms under control, because that is kind of a pre-cursor to how your pregnancy will go. If you are in a bad flare and you get pregnant, then you are more prone to miscarriage, etc. But if it's somewhat managed, then you may even get better! I felt so great, I wish I could stay pregnant forever!! Anyway, just talk w/your GI and gyno, and make sure they stay connected w/one another. Good luck!
Reply posted for JNA.
You should get your symptoms under some degree of control before you start to try to get pregnant, as most doctors will tell you. I personally felt the best IN MY LIFE during my pregnancies. Don't let these diseases limit your major life choices. If you want children, then you will have them.
Reply posted for JNA.
I have been living with UC for almost 5yrs and it is miserable. Lately, I have been experiencing a lot of blood in the stool. I am just wondering how could someone retain a fetus with symptoms that a UC patient has such as diarrhea, bloody stool, mucus, abdominal pain and so forth. I recently got married and would like to start conceive in 2010-do you have any advice for me on how to prepare. I am taking Lialda, but I am thinking about going back on Asacol. I would appreciate your feedback.
Thanks,
Looking to see if anyone else is dealing with li....
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