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The mans part in pregnancy, and crohn's

KWalker

Moderator
Hey guys, I just had a few questions. My fiance and I are nowhere near ready to have a baby at our age, and being in school and whatnot, financially, etc but I've just been thinking about it lately and if there were any complications because of men having crohn's.

I've been on many drugs for crohn's, (Remicade, Humira, prednisone, and many more) and my latest one being Methotrexate injections at a high dose. I'm currently not on any medications whatsoever, but does crohn's medicine have a reputation for causing complications, whether or not you are, or have been on them in the past?

Like everybody else, once we are ready, the only thing we care about is a healthy baby so I'll do whatever I can on my part to prepare my body to be able to greater my chances of providing so.

Are there any other guys that had a hard time getting your partners pregnant due to crohn's?

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks alot!
 
Hey guys, I just had a few questions. My fiance and I are nowhere near ready to have a baby at our age, and being in school and whatnot, financially, etc but I've just been thinking about it lately and if there were any complications because of men having crohn's.

I've been on many drugs for crohn's, (Remicade, Humira, prednisone, and many more) and my latest one being Methotrexate injections at a high dose. I'm currently not on any medications whatsoever, but does crohn's medicine have a reputation for causing complications, whether or not you are, or have been on them in the past?

Like everybody else, once we are ready, the only thing we care about is a healthy baby so I'll do whatever I can on my part to prepare my body to be able to greater my chances of providing so.

Are there any other guys that had a hard time getting your partners pregnant due to crohn's?

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks alot!
I don't think Crohn's could be a cause of impotence for men. But if you would like to find out, the best way to do it is go through a sperm count. If it's normal then there's nothing to worry about. So far I haven't heard anyone who has had a problem trying to conceive a child due to Crohn's.
 

KWalker

Moderator
I didn't necessarily mean because of crohns itself, but more or less because of the strong drugs were given. I know when I was on methotrexate, they told me if I got my fiance pregnant while I was on it, there was a high risk of birth defects. He also said not to try within either 3 weeks, or 3 months (I can't remember)
 
Sorry I didn't see your post earlier!

My husband has crohn's and we had been trying to get pregnant for about a year before we found out he had very low sperm count, low motility and bad morphology.

One GI doctor we talked to told us that Azathioprene and prednisone are very bad for sperm. Also, at the time my husband's nutrition was not very good and after he got put on TPN (liquid IV nutrition) his sperm count went up considerably but the morphology never changed. We suspect that a lot of his sperm issues has to due with the crohn's medicine, but since we wanted to keep him on his medicine to keep him stable we will never know 100% for sure.

However, the good news is that we did IVF with ICSI (where they inject the sperm directly into the egg) and it worked. :) We're expecting our first child early next year! :ybiggrin:
 

KWalker

Moderator
Thanks a lot for that! Luckily for me, its been a few years atleast since I've been prednisone. When I was on Methotrexate the doctor specifically told me not to try and have kids because it plays a huge factor in mental problems and birth defects in babies, however he said there's a period afterwards where its still in your system but I've been off of it long enough to be past that point now.

Thanks again for your post :)
Oh, and congrats to the both of you!
 
My husband doesn't have CD, but I do and I was on Remicade, Pentasa & Prednisone when we conceived. I don't know how those would affect your sperm counts, but after doing a lot of research and talking to quite a few specialists, it sounds like these drugs are safe for most pregnancies (with the exception of the methotrexates). So far my pregnancy has been normal, so I bet you guys will be fine as far as Remicade, Pentasa & Pred considering your partner won't be on them.
 
We didn't have a problem - I am the Crohn's kiddie in my house, and it didn't really pose any problems for me or my wife. Our late start was more of a factor - I was 38 when we conceived. Here's what I wasn't expecting - the disruption to my sleep schedule in the first year and a half really set the Crohn's off. Not to the point of obstruction, but it really played havoc with my ability to parent. Once again, I was late 30's and not overly healthy, so it may not be an issue for a younger person. We now have an absolutely gorgeous and perfectly healthy 3 1/2 yr old daughter. You'll really have to take care of yourself after the child is born, and you may need some assistance to make sure everyone stays well. Good family support makes a world of difference, and I don't know how I would have managed without it.
 

KWalker

Moderator
Thanks for your reply Shamrock. I was however asking from the mans perspective. I appreciate your input though :)
 

KWalker

Moderator
Oooooops! I must of read that wrong then! Lol my bad. I was just using my blackberry to read his comment so I was just reading bits and pieces and trying to piece it together. I guess I missed some important words haha
 
I have been on an expecting mother's forum for a while so I keep having to remind myself there are dudes on here too!! It's hard sometimes to tell from people's screen names too whether they are male or female.
 
Yup, male last time I checked! I had the Midnight to 3:30 am shift for the better part of the year, and I think with the exception of literally only 5 night time check ins over 3 years, it has been all me at night. Not too good for the stomach, but even with that, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Wouldn't voluntarily go for a second one though!
 
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